HEALTH

Ambulance Service

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact upon the Tees, Yorkshire and Humberside Ambulance Service of the recent reconfiguration.

Liam Byrne: There has been no reconfiguration in this geographical area since the Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service National Health Service Trust was formed in 1999.
	In order to deliver the benefits of the recent review of ambulance services, Taking Healthcare to the Patient: Transforming NHS Ambulance Services, ambulance trusts need to be of a size that enables investment in people and resources to underpin advanced services. We are therefore proposing that there should be fewer, bigger ambulance trusts and will be undertaking public consultation on these proposals this winter. These proposals will ensure resources are targeted at improving patient care and supporting front-line services.

Care Home Regulations 2001

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many care homes (a) exceeded, (b) met, (c) almost met and (d) failed to meet (i) the national minimum standard for complaints procedures and (ii) Regulation (A) 5 and (B) 6 of the Care Home Regulations 2001 in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: I understand from the chair of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, that data are collected on how care homes are meeting the national minimum standards. How care homes have met these standards is shown in the tables.
	Regulations 5, 5A and 6 set out requirements on information to be provided to the service users. Regulation 22 sets out requirements for the complaints procedure. Compliance with these regulations is a legal condition that must be met in order for a home to be registered.
	
		Care homes for older people
		
			  4-Exceeded Percentage 3-Met Percentage 
		
		
			 2002–03 
			 Standard 1- Information 198 2 2,199 24 
			 Standard 2- Contract 92 1 4,442 48 
			 Standard 16- Complaints 106 1 4,622 50 
			  
			 2003–04 
			 Standard 1- Information 311 3 6,357 54 
			 Standard 2- Contract 115 1 8,096 71 
			 Standard l6- Complaints 154 1 9,038 77 
			  
			 2004–05 
			 Standard 1- Information 219 2 6,573 61 
			 Standard 2- Contract 65 1 7,601 74 
			 Standard 16- Complaints 115 1 8,983 79 
		
	
	
		
			  2- Almost met Percentage 1- Failed to meet Percentage 
		
		
			 2002–03 
			 Standard 1- Information 4,748 51 2,201 24 
			 Standard 2- Contract 3,828 41 954 10 
			 Standard 16- Complaints 3,850 41 754 8 
			  
			 2003–04 4,157 35 954 8 
			 Standard 1- Information 2,667 23 548 5 
			 Standard 2- Contract 2,199 19 398 3 
			 Standard l6- Complaints 
			 2004–05 
			 Standard 1- Information 3,375 31 627 6 
			 Standard 2- Contract 2,184 21 394 4 
			 Standard 16- Complaints 1,963 17 282 2 
		
	
	
		Care homes for younger adults
		
			  4-Exceeded Percentage 3-Met Percentage 
		
		
			 2002–2003 
			 Standard 1-Information 116 2 1,010 15 
			 Standard 5-Needs Assessment 51 1 2,235 34 
			 Standard 22-Concerns and Complaints 78 1 3,074 46 
			 2003–2004 
			 Standard 1-Information 115 2 2,601 44 
			 Standards 5-Needs Assessment 48 1 2,727 52 
			 Standard 22-Concerns and Complaints 108 2 4,361 71 
			  
			 2004–2005 
			 Standard 1-Information 83 2 2,042 57 
			 Standard 5-Needs Assessment 20 1 1,950 62 
			 Standard 22-Concerns and Complaints 57 1 3,420 79 
		
	
	
		
			  2 -Almost met Percentage 1-Failed to meet Percentage 
		
		
			 2002–2003 
			 Standard 1-Information 3,646 55 1,844 28 
			 Standard 5-Needs Assessment 2,850 44 1,388 21 
			 Standard 22-Concerns and Complaints 2,838 43 624 9 
			  
			 2003–2004 
			 Standard 1-Information 2,567 43 647 11 
			 Standards 5-Needs Assessment 1,891 36 618 12 
			 Standard 22-Concerns and Complaints 1,415 23 224 4 
			  
			 2004–2005 
			 Standard 1-Information 1,285 36 194 5 
			 Standard 5-Needs Assessment 949 30 227 7 
			 Standard 22—Concerns and Complaints 755 17 104 2 
		
	
	Note:
	The total number of homes scored against standard 1 does not always match the total number of homes scored against Standard 2 and Standard 16 for each inspection year in the tables, as not all homes arc inspected against every standard.
	Source:
	Registration and Inspection (R&I) Database, 1 October 2005

Childhood Vaccinations

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with (a) the Joint Committee on vaccinations and immunisations and (b) other interested parties on whether to extend the routine childhood vaccination programme to include immunisation against pneumococcal disease.

Caroline Flint: The Joint Committee on vaccinations and immunisations provided advice on a proposed childhood pneumococcal vaccination schedule at their meeting in October 2005. This advice is currently being considered by the Department.

Consultants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are in place to assess the effectiveness of consultant-led projects in her Department; what sanctions are available to penalise consultants who run unsuccessful projects; how many projects conducted by consultants were assessed as unsuccessful in each year since 2000; and what sanctions were imposed in each case.

Jane Kennedy: The Office of Government Commerce's Gateway process provides assurance at critical stages of a programme's or project's lifecycle and is applicable to programmes and projects managed by both internal and external resources.
	The information requested in relation to individual projects is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Consultants

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Department takes to ensure that consultancies do not claim excessive expenses while working for her Department and its agencies.

Jane Kennedy: In order to prevent excessive expenses being claimed, the Department either includes them as part of the total work contract or allows them to be claimed in line with departmental guidelines.

Departmental Staff

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the Director of Finance is of her Department; what specialist finance qualifications he or she holds; and what the details are of his or her career to date.

Liam Byrne: The finance director is Richard Douglas. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. In summary his career history is:
	Department of Health Finance Director since 2001
	National Savings Finance Director 1999–2001
	NHS Executive Deputy Director of Finance 1996–1999
	National Audit Office Director 1994–96
	National Audit Office 1980–1994
	HM Customs and Excise 1978–1980

Hepatitis

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government have set targets for the diagnosis of hepatitis (a) B and (b) C on an annual basis.

Caroline Flint: There are no national targets for the diagnosis of hepatitis B or C. In the Hepatitis C Action Plan for England, there are two national outcome indicators intended to track increased testing. Both these indicators, drawn from epidemiological surveillance by the Health Protection Agency, should increase the proportion of those attending treatment and support agencies for injecting drug users who are aware of their hepatitis C infection and the total number of laboratory confirmed hepatitis C infection reports.

HIV/AIDS

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS among primary care staff; what guidance she has issued to primary care staff to ensure the care received by those with HIV/AIDS is fair and equitable; and what plans she has to issue further guidance on this issue.

Caroline Flint: Recommended standards for NHS HIV services" was published in 2003. This includes a chapter on primary health care for people with HIV. This document was produced jointly by the Department and the Medical Foundation for AIDS and Sexual Health (MEDFASH). The latter has also produced a booklet, HIV in Primary Care—an essential guide to HIV for general practitioners, practice nurses and other members of the primary health care team".
	The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) also has guidelines on HIV testing in primary care.
	The National HIV Nurses Association is due to publish a set of HIV nursing competencies in 2006. All these guidelines help ensure that HIV/AIDS care is fair and equitable.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list public consultations undertaken by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority in each of the last 10 years; and what conclusions were reached in each case.

Caroline Flint: Information on the public consultation exercises undertaken by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) can be found on its website at www.hfea.gov.uk. Where the outcome is not shown, the consultation has resulted in amendments to the HFEA's code of practice or the issue of new or revised directions.

Infertility Treatment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether all primary care trusts in England are providing at least one cycle of IVF to eligible couples with infertility; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the extent to which primary care trusts are limiting the provision of NHS-funded infertility treatment to couples with no existing children; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of whether primary care trusts are applying more restrictive female age criteria to couples seeking NHS-funded infertility treatment than the 23 to 39 years range set by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 23 November 2005, Official Report, column 2110W.

Influenza Virus

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the evidential basis was for the statement on page 44 of the UK pandemic influenza contingency plan, published on 19 October, in relation to pneumococcal immunisation preventing some of the complications due to secondary pneumococcal infection following influenza infection; and whether the evidence indicates that this is an effective course of action for (a) adults over 65 years and (b) children.

Caroline Flint: Both pneumococcal vaccines used to vaccinate children and older people in clinical risk groups, including adults over 65 years have been shown to provide protection against pneumococcal bacteraemia. In the case of the vaccine that is recommended for children under five years who are in a risk group, the vaccine also provides protection against non-bacteraemic infections such as pneumonia and ear infections.
	It is well documented that secondary bacterial infection follows influenza infection during seasonal flu epidemics. It is reasonable to assume that there may be an increase in pneumococcal disease during a pandemic. It would be prudent to ensure that there is high vaccine coverage among the risk groups recommended pneumococcal vaccine.

Influenza Virus

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the possibility of (a) co-infection within a single human host of a human-adapted influenza virus and H5N1, with a consequent interchange of genetic material between the viruses and (b) random mutation giving rise to a new pandemic influenza virus;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of whether there are human influenza strains which could combine with an H5N1 strain giving rise to mutagenesis from which a virulent, human host adapted strain could emerge.

Caroline Flint: There are little data available on this issue. There is good evidence that the 1918 pandemic virus arose from random mutation giving rise to a new human virus. There is also good evidence that the 1957 and 1968 pandemic viruses arose from reassortment between a human virus and an animal virus. At this time, it is impossible to determine how a new human pandemic virus might be created and which influenza strains might be involved in the reassortment.

Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the expenditure was on the Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority in 2004–05; and what the planned expenditure is for 2005–06 and 2006–07 in (a) cash and (b) real terms, including the reductions proposed in the NHS non-departmental body review;
	(2)  how many full-time equivalent staff were employed by the (a) Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority and (b) Health Protection Agency (i) in total and (ii) in each (A) region, (B) country and (C) main office location in each of the last five years; and what job reductions are planned in each case.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 21 November 2005
	Expenditure by Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) in 2004–05, taken from the finance report and accounts, shows a net resource out-turn of £72.676 million; capital expenditure of £4.702 million; and a net parliamentary funding of £76.477 million.
	PPA expenditure for 2005–06, taken from the latest finance report and accounts indicates a net resource out-turn of £76.192 million (forecast); capital expenditure of £6.03 million (forecast); and a net parliamentary funding of £78.095 million.
	The gross domestic product deflator for 2005–06 was 2.5 per cent.
	In terms of planned expenditure for 2006–07, the PPA will become part of the new NHS Business Services Authority. Individual budgets will no longer be allocated to the component organisations within the NHS Business Services Authority as synergy through the merger will be used to realise efficiencies.
	In terms of the numbers of staff employed by the PPA, the figures in the finance report and accounts, shows the number of employees (whole-time equivalent) as being:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2004–05 2,123 
			 2003–04 2,108 
			 2002–03 2,260 
			 2001–02 2,080 
			 2000–01 2,145 
		
	
	This excludes those employed on behalf of other agencies.
	The Health Protection Agency (HPA) was created on 1 April 2003. Published information on staffing levels is available in its annual reports and accounts for 2003–04 and for 2004–05, both of which are available in the Library. The Department does not have information about HPA staffing in each region or county. Sites at which HPA currently operates and the whole-time equivalent staff numbers at each site as at 1 April 2005 has been placed in the Library.
	Both the PPA and the HPA are in discussion with the Department about reductions in staffing levels in response to the arms length body review.
	Notes:
	1. 2005–06 forecast out-turn assumes £1.173 million underspend.
	2. Figures are not really comparable due to European Health Insurance Card provision in 2005–06 of £8.5 million plus cost improvement programme, etc. Therefore, it would be misleading to increase the 2004–05 out-turn by 2.5 per cent. to £74.5 million without taking all the other funding changes into account.

Pneumococcal Vaccine Supply

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which manufacturers supply pneumococcal vaccines to the NHS; and what evidence she has received on the relative effectiveness of each.

Caroline Flint: The pneumcococcal polysaccharide vaccine is supplied by Sanofi Pasteur MSD Ltd and is the vaccine recommended for those aged two years and over in at-risk groups, including all those aged 65 years and over.
	The vaccine provides protection against 23 pneumococcal strains. Overall effectiveness in preventing pneumococcal bacteraemia, invasive pneumococcal pneumonia, septacaemia and meningitis, is around 50 to 70 percent, for this vaccine 1 . Current evidence suggests that the polysaccharide vaccine is not effective in protecting against non-bacteraemic pneumococcal infection such as pneumonia 2 .
	The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine is supplied by Wyeth vaccines as is the vaccine recommended for at-risk children under five years.
	The vaccine provides protection against seven common pneumococcal strains. Pre and post-licensing studies have shown the vaccine to be 97 percent, effective in preventing pneumococcal bacteraemia caused by these strains. The vaccine also provides protection against pneumonia and otitis media 3 .
	Notes:
	1 Mangtani et al., 2003; Fedson, 1999; Fine et al., 1994; Butler et al., 1993; Melegaro and Edmunds, 2004.
	2 Jackson et al, 2003.
	3 Black et al., 2000; Black et al, 2002.
	Source:
	Black S et al. (2000) Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in children. Pediatr Infect Dis J19: 187–95.
	Black S et al. (2002) Effectiveness of heptavalent pneumococcal comjugate vaccine in children younger than five years of age for prevention of pneumonia. Pediatr Infect Dis J21: 810–15.
	Butler JC et al. (1993) Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine efficacy: an evaluation of current recommendations. JAMA 270: 1826–31.
	Fedson DS (1999) The clinical effectiveness of pneumococcal vaccination: a brief review. Vaccine 17: S85–90.
	Fine MJ et al. (1994) Efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination in adults: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Arch Int Med 154: 2666–77.
	Mangtani P et al. (2003) Efficacy of polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine in adults in more developed countries: the state of the evidence. Lancet Infect Dis 3. 71–8.
	Melegaro A and Edmunds WJ (2004) The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.
	Part I. Efficacy of PPV in the elderly: a comparison of meta-analyses. Eur J Epidemiol 19: 353–63.

Tuberculosis

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list countries from which people applying for a visa to stay in the UK for longer than six months have to provide a certificate proving that they are free from infectious tuberculosis; and what estimate she has made of the incidence of infectious tuberculosis in those countries.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 17 November 2005
	As part of the Home Office five-year strategy, the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) have started a phased implementation of pre-entry screening in Tanzania, Thailand, Sudan and Bangladesh. United Kingdom entry clearance officers in these countries have begun to advise all applicants applying for UK entry certificates that they need to be screened for infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, and will be required to bring a health certificate issued by IOM with them to the UK in order to get entry clearance. Applicants found to have infectious TB will not be issued with a health certificate until they have completed treatment in line with World Health Organisation guidelines.
	Details of the incidence of infectious tuberculosis in the four, and other, countries have been published by the WHO at:
	www.who.int/tb/publications/global_report/2005/en/

Tuberculosis

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the reasons for the rise in the number of cases of tuberculosis in England.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 17 November 2005
	The chief medical officer's action plan Stopping Tuberculosis in England" (October 2004) recognised that tuberculosis (TB) in England increased by 25 per cent. over the previous 10 years, and is still rising.
	There are a number of factors that contribute to the rise in TB. TB is so common in certain parts of the world that people who live there are at a higher risk of catching it. The disease follows patterns of migration, and in England around two-thirds of TB patients are born abroad. Among these people, TB as a disease may not develop until five to 10 years later. Apart from the changing patterns of migration, other factors for increasing rates of TB include increased opportunities for international travel; homelessness in inner cities and increasing alcohol and other substance misuse. Also, HIV infection weakens a person's immunity to TB, although this only accounts for a small proportion, around 3 per cent. of the total.
	The Health Protection Agency (HPA) implemented a system of continuous enhanced tuberculosis surveillance in England in 1999 in response to the increase in cases of tuberculosis reported through the statutory notification system for infectious diseases, and aimed to better inform understanding of the changing epidemiology of tuberculosis.
	Annual tuberculosis surveillance reports are available from the HPA's website at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/tb/epidemiology/reports.htm

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crime Statistics

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General how many successful prosecutions for (a) violent crime and (b) gun crime there have been in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	The available information from the Home Office Court Proceedings database is contained in the table. It shows the number of successful prosecutions for violent crime (including all offences of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery) in England and Wales, 1999 to 2003.
	It is not possible to identify the number of offenders found guilty of gun crime as the individual circumstances of the offence are not collected.
	Statistics on court proceedings for 2004 will be published in late November.
	
		Offenders(1) found guilty at all courts for violent crime offences,(2) England and Wales, 1999 to 2003
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1999 45,630 
			 2000 45,104 
			 2001 46,163 
			 2002 49,803 
			 2003 49,694 
		
	
	(1) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(2) Violent crime includes all offences of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.

Equitable Life

Vincent Cable: To ask the Solicitor General when the Serious Fraud Office will report back on its examination of Equitable Life, commissioned by his Department in January 2004.

Mike O'Brien: I am informed that the Serious Fraud Office has taken counsel's opinion but will not complete consideration of the matter until the current civil actions are complete.

Serious Fraud Office

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Solicitor General how many people have been proceeded against by the Serious Fraud Office in the 2005–06 financial year; and how many were acquitted by (a) jury and (b) order of the judge.

Mike O'Brien: During the financial year to date the Serious Fraud Office have secured convictions against nine defendants out of those proceeded against in seven cases whilst two have been acquitted by the verdict of a jury: Two further defendants have had the charges dismissed against them by order of the judge.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bees

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to address the increase in the incidence of European foulbrood in bee colonies.

Jim Knight: Data provided by the National Bee Unit indicate that there has been a slight decline rather than an increase in the incidence of European foul brood disease in England in recent years. This year, 664 colonies were found infected with European foul brood compared to the 1007 cases recorded in 2000.
	The effectiveness of measures to control European foul brood is subject to continuous assessment by the National Bee Unit. The unit is currently evaluating the effectiveness of the shook swarm technique for improved control of the disease. If successful, this will eliminate the need for the application of antibiotic by bee health inspectors.

Cattle Passports

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many (a) farmers, (b) cattle owners and (c) cattle keepers have had an application for at least one cattle passport rejected on the grounds of the late return of the form since September 2003;
	(2)  how many applications for cattle passports have been made since September 2003; how many of those applications were rejected; and how many were refused on the grounds of the late return of the form in each month;
	(3)  in how many cases where applications for cattle passports were refused on the grounds of late return of the form since September 2003 (a) a passport was subsequently issued after an appeal, (b) the animal concerned was slaughtered and (c) the animal concerned died; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Cattle Tracing System database (CTS) does not distinguish between farmers, cattle owners and cattle keepers. It contains details of cattle holdings. Each holding is associated with the name of a cattle keeper but the database does not indicate whether the keeper is also the owner of the cattle. A keeper may have more than one holding.
	A passport is withheld when the application is received late. This rule has been strictly enforced since 21 November 2003. Before that date a less rigorous approach was taken. In the period from 28 September 1998 to 20 November 2003, a total of 13,448 passport applications were rejected because they were not received within the legal time limits and the identity and traceability of the animal could not be established.
	Between 21 November 2003 and 31 October 2005, 14,995 holdings have had at least one cattle passport refused on the grounds of late application. In this period 5,551,571 passport applications were recorded onto the CTS of which 44,734 applications were refused on the grounds of late return of the form. Monthly figures are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Passport applications Refused passports 
		
		
			 21–30 November 2003 44,982 745 
			 December 2003 169,944 3,122 
			 January 2004 175,311 4,139 
			 February 2004 177,562 2,425 
			 March 2004 314,576 2,527 
			 April 2004 383,512 3,336 
			 May 2004 319,045 2,648 
			 June 2004 306,653 3,519 
			 July 2004 222,989 1,867 
			 August 2004 236,334 2,000 
			 September 2004 229,619 1 ,837 
			 October 2004 197,708 1,385 
			 November 2004 196,104 1,255 
			 December 2004 151,008 1,061 
			 January 2005 161,653 1,363 
			 February 2005 164,482 1,264 
			 March 2005 281,472 1 ,209 
			 April 2005 360,409 1,199 
			 May 2005 340,146 1,643 
			 June 2005 258,330 1,688 
			 July 2005 214,438 1,198 
			 August 2005 227,453 1,236 
			 September 2005 222,609 1,150 
			 October 2005 195,232 918 
		
	
	During the period 10,504 passports were issued following a successful appeal, after initially being refused because of late application.
	Of the animals which have been refused passports during the period 21 November 2003 to 31 October 2005, 11,202 have since been recorded as dead on the Cattle Tracing System database. This figure excludes import applications as the deadline dates are different for these application types.
	It is not possible to distinguish between those which have been slaughtered and those which have died of natural causes. The database only records the date and place of death, not the cause of death.
	The Department is currently reviewing all the domestic legislation implementing the ED cattle identification requirements, and I have asked officials to ensure that the rules on late passport applications are included. There will be a full public consultation on this review shortly. However, I must emphasise that if any changes to procedures are considered in this context, we will continue to give priority to the maintenance of an accurate and reliable database.

Civil Service Relocation (Scotland)

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many departmental civil service jobs have been relocated to Scotland in each year since 2001.

Jim Knight: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Since DEFRA was created in June 2001, no staff have transferred to Scotland with funding assistance from the Department.

Common Agricultural Policy

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the meetings of EU Agriculture Ministers in the last 12 months at which reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was discussed.

Jim Knight: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Discussions of CAP reform within the last 12 months has focused on reform of the sugar regime. This was discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on the following dates: 22–23 November 2004, and 24 January, 18–19 July, 19–20 September, 24–25 October, 22–24 November 2005. Agreement on reform was reached at the meeting in November 2005.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many agreements under the Countryside Stewardship scheme are live; how many hectares are covered by such agreements; how many agreements provided access for the public within two miles of (a) an urban area and (b) the coast; and how many hectares are covered in those areas.

Jim Knight: There are currently 16,747 live Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) agreements covering 524,604.58 hectares. More specifically, the number and hectarage of live CSS agreements providing both linear and open access for the public are as follows:
	(a) Within two miles of an urban area there are 1,127 agreements covering 3,697.87 hectares and
	(b) Within two miles of the coast there are 295 agreements covering 1,283.53 hectares
	All figures are taken from the 2004 agreement year which represents the latest available data.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the access authorities which have taken part in the Access Management Grant Scheme; and what total level of funding has been granted to each such authority since the scheme's inception.

Jim Knight: Up to 1 November 2005, 52 access authorities in England have been granted a total of £3,063,591 in funding under the Access Management Grant Scheme, as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 Barnsley 15,018 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 2,475 
			 Bedfordshire 11,260 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 9,333 
			 Bolton 6,026 
			 Bracknell Forest 269 
			 Bradford 27,076 
			 Brighton and Hove 19,955 
			 Buckinghamshire 41,432 
			 Calderdale 123,525 
			 Cambridgeshire 17,392 
			 Cornwall 86,333 
			 Cumbria 322,952 
			 Derbyshire 3,777 
			 Devon 135,821 
			 Doncaster 19,845 
			 Dorset 337,316 
			 Durham 184,884 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 42,477 
			 East Sussex 42,953 
			 Essex 12,000 
			 Gloucester 28,692 
			 Hampshire 95,596 
			 Herefordshire(3) 41,463 
			 Hertfordshire 11,865 
			 Kent 23,213 
			 Kirklees 21,313 
			 Leeds 221,045 
			 Leicestershire 23,608 
			 Lincolnshire 39,000 
			 Norfolk 9,016 
			 North Lincolnshire 39,000 
			 North Yorkshire 5,807 
			 Northumberland 159,281 
			 Nottinghamshire 144,805 
			 Oldham 12,190 
			 Oxfordshire 8,714 
			 Poole 31,080 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 8,038 
			 Rochdale 381 
			 Shropshire 4,219 
			 Somerset 67,380 
			 South Downs (East Sussex) 31,397 
			 South Gloucestershire 110,932 
			 Staffordshire 17,261 
			 Suffolk 26,239 
			 Tameside 196,105 
			 Wakefield 5,100 
			 West Berkshire 10,639 
			 West Sussex 2,225 
			 Wiltshire 130,350 
			 Worcestershire 50,388 
		
	
	(3) Excludes funding for the Open Access Black Mountains project.

Departmental Staff

John Maples: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the Finance Director is in her Department; what specialist finance qualifications he or she holds; and what the details are of his or her career to date.

Jim Knight: Defra's acting finance director is Ian Grattidge. He joined Defra on 18 February 2002 and was appointed acting director on 7 November 2005. Ian Grattidge is a Fellow of the Institute of Certified Chartered Accountants.
	Prior to joining Defra Ian Grattidge held finance director posts at the Food Standards Agency and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency. He has also held posts in the finance management division of former MAFF and at the BBC; was head of finance and business administration at the Laboratory of the Government Chemist, DTI; financial accountant at NMI Ltd; an internal auditor for the DTI and a tax inspector for HM Customs and Excise.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in her Department have been relocated into London and the South East in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Jim Knight: DEFRA was created in June 2001 and the information in this answer covers the period since then. The following table shows the number of staff who have been relocated into London and the South East with funding assistance from the Department.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2001 (June to December) 11 
			 2002 22 
			 2003 11 
			 2004 10 
			 2005 (January to November) 7

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to relocate staff in her Department and related agencies into London and the South East.

Jim Knight: The Department and related agencies have no plans to relocate staff into London and the South East.

Departmental Transport

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance her Department has issued to departmental offices on (a) producing a transport plan for staff and contractors and (b) reducing the environmental impact of car parking and car use by staff and contractors.

Jim Knight: All Defra and executive agency workplaces with more than 50 people working on-site are required to produce travel plans to reduce the impact of travel-related activities on the environment. Targets and actions are reviewed for progress and sites are surveyed biennially so that travel plans can be updated. Comprehensive guidance is provided through access to the Energy Savings Trust's Travel Plan Resource Pack for Employers.
	Travel plans are site-specific and each addresses significant transport-related environmental impacts according to local circumstances. At sites where car parking and car use are identified as significant impacts constructive solutions are sought to reduce the negative impacts.

Energy Efficiency

Robert Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2005, Official Report, column 1054W, on energy efficiency (commercial sector), what (a) the cost effective potential and (b) the technical potential for carbon savings in the commercial and services sector through energy efficiency measures is by (i) 2010 and (ii) 2020, expressed in megatonnes of carbon.

Elliot Morley: The information is as follows:
	(a) 2010: The cost effective potential (10 per cent.) is around 2MtC.
	2020: This figure is more difficult to estimate but may also be around the 10 per cent. level, with the draw-down of existing measures generally balanced by the influx of new ones, as has happened in the past. The corresponding carbon figure may be somewhat under 2MtC, but the precise value will depend on the impact of future carbon reduction policies in this particular sector, the sector's underlying growth rate and any structural changes occurring within it.
	(b) The current technical potential is approximately 6MtC. The figures for 2010 and 2020 are likely to be similar, perhaps slightly lower in 2020 if emissions fall as planned.

Farm Subsidies

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the forecast number of applicants for the 2005 single farm payment in England was; and how many farmers have applied.

Jim Knight: holding answer 21 November 2005
	A total of 120,367 claim forms have been received under the Single Payment Scheme in England. The overall number is subject to revision as it includes some duplicate claims and claimants. The number of claims received is in line with forecasts, which ranged from 110,000 to 130,000.

Flood Defences

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase investment on flood defences in Robertsbridge, East Sussex.

Elliot Morley: Following the serious flooding in Robertsbridge during autumn 2000, the Environment Agency has invested £4.5 million on a flood alleviation scheme for the town, which was completed in 2004. The Environment Agency undertakes annual routine maintenance of the flood defences in the form of river clearance, embankment mowing and weed screen clearance.
	The Environment Agency's Rother and Romney catchment flood management plan is due for completion in 2007 and will identify the long-term policy and investment needs for the catchment, including Robertsbridge.

Global Monitoring for Environment and Security

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she had concerning the global monitoring for environment and security programme since September with (a) the Prime Minister, (b) the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and (c) the European Commission; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: I have regular meetings with the Prime Minister and other Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues.
	The Government support the concept of GMES and has played an active role in shaping its development as a user-driven initiative.
	GMES has the potential to improve the development and implementation of environment policy in the UK, Europe and on a global scale, but there is work to be done to ensure that this potential is realised.
	Over the coming months the Government will continue to work with the European Commission to try to ensure that GMES will deliver the information and services we need in the long term.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the United Kingdom is on track to meet the Government's target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent. from 1990 levels by 2010.

Elliot Morley: The Government are aware that more needs to be done to achieve their 2010 goallatest published projections indicate that emissions of carbon dioxide will be about 13 per cent. below 1990 levels in 2010.
	The current review of the UK Climate Change Programme is looking at how existing policies are performing and the range of policies that might be put in place to put the UK back on track towards a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.

Japanese Knotweed

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she has issued to local authorities and other relevant bodies on dealing with Japanese knotweed.

Jim Knight: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Japanese knotweed is a vigorous and invasive non-native plant that appears to have no natural enemies in Britain. It can colonise most habitats, expanding rapidly and excluding other plants. It can also damage property (and therefore needs to be cleared from development sites) and cause problems in terms of flood management. Material containing Japanese knotweed is treated as controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1 990 to help prevent its further spread. The Environment Agency and local authorities have enforcement functions for the 1990 Act.
	The Environment Agency and the Centre for Aquatic Plant Management have therefore produced detailed guidance on control of Japanese knotweed, including what methods are appropriate in different circumstances. This is readily available on the web at:
	www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/conservation/840870/840894/840941/?version=1l ang=_e.

Public Service Agreements

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will introduce more user friendly reporting of progress against 2004 public service agreement target 8;
	(2)  What timescales have been set by the Department for achievement of 2004 PSA Target 1;
	(3)  What data sources she intends to use to measure progress towards internationally-agreed commitments to tackle climate change, as required for the measurement of 2004 public service agreement target 1;
	(4)  How she will define the term rural area as required for the purpose of measuring achievement of the 2004 public service agreement target four.

Jim Knight: The Department provides regular performance updates against its outstanding public service agreement targets through its annual departmental report and its autumn performance report published in spring and autumn respectively which the Department aims to make accessible. The 2005 departmental report (Cm6537), which is the most recently published, is available in the House Libraries and online at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/deprep/default.htm
	Defra's 2005 autumn performance report is due for publication in mid-December and this will be the first time the Department has reported against its 2004 spending review targets.
	A short summary of progress against our 2004 Spending Review targets can be found in appendix six of the forthcoming autumn performance eport, with more detailed information available in chapter two.

Radioactive Waste Policy Group

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who the members are of the Radioactive Waste Policy Group; on what dates the Group has met in the last 12 months; when the Group plans to meet in the next 12 months; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of meetings held in the last 12 months.

Elliot Morley: The Radioactive Waste Policy group (RWPG) is chaired and managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). It is made up of representatives from:
	Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department of Trade and Industry; Nuclear Decommissioning Authority; Department of Health; Department of Transport; Department for Education and Skills; Department for Culture, Media and Sport; Department for Work and Pensions; Ministry of Defence; Office of the Deputy Prime Minister; Treasury; Cabinet Office; Scottish Executive; Welsh Assembly Government; Department of the Environment Northern Ireland; Health and Safety Executive; Environment Agency; Scottish Environment Protection Agency; Office for Civil Nuclear Security and the Food Standards Agency.
	Some of these participate fully while others are corresponding members who attend meetings as the agenda demands.
	Meetings have taken place on the following dates over the past 12 months:
	7 October 2004
	12 April 2005
	13 July 2005
	8 November 2005
	There are no confirmed dates for future meetings, although the next is likely to take place in the first half of February 2006.
	As an inter-departmental body, the release of the minutes of meetings of RWPG may prejudice the full and frank exchange of views in the development of policy in this area. I will, however, give further consideration to the request and undertake to write to the hon. Member in due course. Meanwhile, the bulk of recent discussion in the Group has been on the subject of the Government's review of low level radioactive waste management policy on which there has been extensive stakeholder consultation. Details of this are given on the website http://www.peoplescienceandpolicy.com/llw/index.html

Tenant Farmers

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress has been made since 2001 in establishing a retirement scheme for tenant farmers in the livestock sector as stated in the Labour Party's 2001 general election manifesto.

Jim Knight: holding answer 21 November 2005
	The Government have decided against introducing a retirement scheme for farmers as it would not provide value for money compared with the large costs likely to be involved and would offer little public benefita view shared by the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food. In addition, funding a retirement incentive scheme could mean having to close down or shrink other grant schemes, which are providing valuable public benefits such as the agri-environment schemes.
	Research commissioned by Defra on entry to and exit from farming in the UK concluded that entry and exit decisions are generally rational and driven by strong market forces and personal motivations. Intervention to affect the rate of entry or exit via financial inducements is likely to be expensive and ineffectual in the longer term. (The research can be found at:
	http://statistics.defra.gov.uk/esg/reports/entrvexit/finalreport.pdf)
	However Defra is supporting an industry-led initiative called fresh start. Fresh start aims to secure a sustainable future for farming in England through encouraging new entrants into farming. A further element of the fresh start initiative is to stimulate existing farmers to think about how they might respond to the changes brought about by CAP reform, whether this means expanding their business, diversifying into other activities or retiring from the industry. Such choices will serve to create opportunities for new entrants wishing to develop their careers in the industry.
	As part of fresh start, Defra has produced a detailed information pack designed to support professional agricultural advisers when discussing retirement and other exit options with their farmer clients. The pack provides an overview of all the issues that need to be considered as part of the process of planning for what may be a radical change, whether that be a transition to retirement or a move to another career.
	Recently fresh start has established a new relationship with a number of organisations working in the field of farmer retirement, including the Arthur Rank Centre and Farm Crisis Network, to provide support to potential retirees including matching and mentoring services to help retirees link-up with potential new entrants.

Trade Effluent

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many significant consents to discharge trade effluent to watercourses were held by industry in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004; what percentage of these consents were monitored for compliance purposes and inspections made by the Environment Agency; what the level of compliance with these consents was; what enforcement actions were taken against sites that breached their consents; what percentage of these consents were reviewed; how many reviews led to a tightening of the discharge consent; and what percentage of consents included red list substances.

Elliot Morley: The table details the significant consents issued to industry by the Environment Agency for tradeeffluent discharges to watercourses and the corresponding information my hon. Friend requested.
	
		
			  2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Number of significant discharge consents 4109 4119 2858 
			 
			 Percentage monitored for compliance purposes and inspections made by EA 58.7 65.4 63.0 
			 
			 Level of compliance (percentage) 817 82.3 80.0 
			 
			 Enforcement action taken against sites that breached consents
			 Cautions 18 20 20 
			 Prosecutions 8 18 10 
			 
			 Percentage of consents reviewed 0.1 0.1 0.3 
			 Number 4 4 9 
			 
			 Number of reviews which led to tightening of consent 0 0 8 
			 Percentage   90 
			 
			 Percentage of consents including List I/I I (red list) substances 13 13 11

Urban Gulls

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will estimate the number of urban gulls in (a) England, (b) each region and (c) each sub-regional area; and if she will provide corresponding estimates for any earlier period for which estimates are available.

Jim Knight: The Seabird 2000 survey was conducted by Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) in partnership with other organisations including English Nature and RSPB. The survey looked at breeding populations of seabirds between 1998 and 2002. A full report of the survey can be found at:
	http://www.incc.gov.uk/pdf/Summary Britain Ireland seabird breeding numbers.pdf
	The report includes a number of tables setting out seabird populations which provides figures for Operation Seafarer and Seabird Colony Register census in comparison to Seabird 2000 at administrative area and country level. Specific data for each region and sub regional area is not available.
	It can be seen from the report that the number of roof nesting gulls in England were approximately;
	Herring Gulls 47,400 pairs
	http://www.jncc.gov.uk/PDF/S2000 14 heg tabs and figs web.pdf
	Lesser Blackbacked Gulls 44,200 pairs
	http://www.jncc.gov.uk/PDF/S2000 13 Ibbg tabs and figs web.pdf
	Great Black-backed Gulls 1470 pairs
	http://www.jncc.gov.uk/PDF/S2000 15 gbbg tabs and figs web.pdf

Warm Front Scheme

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many households in Tamworth constituency have received assistance under the Warm Front scheme in each year since its introduction.

Elliot Morley: Between the launch of the Warm Front Scheme in June 2000 and the end of March 2005, the number of households assisted in each year in Tamworth constituency are as follows:
	
		
			 Period Number assisted 
		
		
			 200001 309 
			 200102 391 
			 200203 303 
			 200304 279 
			 200405 414 
			 Total 1,696

Wild Birds

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information she collects on numbers of wild birds in the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: DEFRA annually monitors the numbers of a whole range of birds, through the Breeding Bird Survey. This survey, conducted and funded jointly by the British Trust for Ornithology, the RSPB and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, assesses trends in the numbers of common species of birds across the country. A range of other surveys, funded by these organisations, assesses trends in scarcer species. Annual reports are produced for each of the surveys, but summary information derived from them is contained in the report The State of the UK's Birds 2004 1 which was published in July 2005.
	This report revealed:
	Major successes since 1970 include scarce breeders with mainly southern distributions, such as little ringed plovers, woodlarks and Dartford warblers, that may be benefiting from climate change; species such as the buzzard that may be experiencing less persecution than in the past; and species such as the woodpigeon, which may be benefiting from changes in agricultural cropping patterns.
	Recent surveys have detected encouraging increases for some of our most vulnerable breeding species: corncrakes, bitterns and nightjars. One species, the hen harrier, showed encouraging increases in the north and west but worrying declines elsewhere in its range.
	The all-species, farmland and woodland wild bird indicators for the UK have all shown a slight increase over the last year. However, the farmland bird indicator remains below 60 per cent. of its 1970 value.
	2004 was the poorest breeding season on record for many of our seabirds, such as kittiwakes and guillemots, raising concerns about environmental changes in the seas surrounding the UK.
	The report recognised encouraging progress towards meeting species' targets in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan where concerted conservation action has resulted in increases in numbers of bitterns, corncrakes, stone-curlews and cirl buntingsall species that were at serious risk of extinction as recently as the mid-1990s. While there is no reason for complacency, indications are that the dramatic rate of long-term decline in overall bird populations may have been halted.
	1 Eaton M. A., Noble D. G., Cranswick P. A., Carter N., Wotton S., Ratcliffe N., Wilson A., Hilton G. M., and Gregory R D., 2004. The state of the UK's birds 2003. BTO, the RSPB and WWT, Sandy.

TREASURY

Deaths (Statistics)

Lembit �pik: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people under the age of 18 years have been killed in accidents in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many people under the age of 18 years have committed suicide during each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 30 November 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent questions concerning how many people under the age of 18 years have (a) been killed in accidents and (b) committee suicide, during each of the last five years. I am replying in her absence. (32116, 32117)
	The most recent available figures are for the calendar year 2004. The figures below show the number of deaths from (a) accidents and (b) intentional self harm among those aged 0 to 17 for the calendar years 2000 to 2004.
	
		Number of deaths among people aged 0 to 17 years from accidents, suicide and injury of undetermined intent, England and Wales, 2000 to 2004(4)
		
			  Aged 012 Aged 1317 
			  Accidents(5) Suicide(6) Accidents(5) Suicide and injury of undetermined intent(7) 
		
		
			 2000 245  245 78 
			 2001 216  272 63 
			 2002 208  232 70 
			 2003 202  233 57 
			 2004 178  252 55 
		
	
	(4) Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	(5) The cause of death for accidents was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E800-E869 and E880-E928 for the year 2000, and, for the years 2001 to 2004, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes V01-X59.
	(6) The cause of death for suicide was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E950-E959for the year 2000, and, for the years 2001 to 2004, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes X60-X84.
	(7) The cause of death for injury of undetermined intent was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes E980-E989 excluding E988.8 for the year 2000, and, for the years 2001 to 2004, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes Y10-Y34 excluding Y33.9 where the coroner's verdict was pending. It is assumed likely that most of these deaths at ages 13 and over are cases where the harm is self-inflicted but there was insufficient evidence to prove that the deceased deliberately intended to kill themselves. As there were no intentional self harm deaths in children under the age of 13, data for injury of undetermined intent have not been included.

Deaths (Statistics)

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many deaths in (a) Houghton and Washington, East, (b) Sunderland and (c) Tyne and Wear alcohol was the primary cause in each of the past five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 November 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking in how many deaths in (a) Houghton and Washington East, (b) Sunderland and (c) Tyne and Wear alcohol was the primary cause in each of the last five years. (32871)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2004. The table below shows the numbers of deaths among residents of the parliamentary constituency of Houghton and Washington East, metropolitan district of Sunderland and former metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear where the underlying cause of death indicated a condition directly related to alcohol use in the years 2000 to 2004.
	
		Alcohol-related deaths(8)to usual residents of the parliamentary constituency of Houghton and Washington, East, the metropolitan district of Sunderland and the former metropolitan county of Tyne and Wear, registered 200004
		
			 Number of deaths 
			  Houghton and Washington, East Sunderland Tyne and Wear 
		
		
			 2000 11 48 174 
			 2001 13 40 150 
			 2002 13 44 167 
			 2003 19 45 188 
			 2004 7 37 221 
		
	
	(8) For the year 2000 the cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9). The codes used by ONS to define alcohol-related deaths are listed as follows:
	291Alcoholic psychoses
	303Alcohol dependence syndrome
	305.0Non-dependent abuse of alcohol
	425.5Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	571Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
	E860Accidental poisoning by alcohol
	For the years 200104 the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used. To maintain comparability with earlier years the following codes were used:
	F10Mental and behavioural disorders due to use of alcohol
	142.6Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
	K70Alcoholic liver disease
	K73Chronic hepatitis, not elsewhere classified
	K74Fibrosis and cirrhosis of liver
	X45Accidental poisoning by and exposure to alcohol
	Notes:
	1. Deaths were selected using the original underlying cause.
	2. The selection of codes to define alcohol-related deaths is described in:
	Baker A and Rooney C (2003). Recent trends in alcohol-related mortality, and the impact of ICD-10 on the monitoring of these deaths in England and Wales. Health Statistics Quarterly 17, pp 514.

Freedom of Information

Roger Williams: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Freedom of Information applications his Department has received; how many have taken more than 20 days to process; and how many of these gave rise to complaints about the time taken.

John Healey: The Department for Constitutional Affairs is committed to publishing quarterly updates in relation to departmental performance under FOI, including information on both the volume and outcomes of requests. The bulletin for the second quarter was published on 30 September 2005 and can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/statsapr-jun05.htm and in the Libraries of both Houses. The next bulletin will be published before Christmas, while an annual report will be published in early 2006. To the period to end June 2005 the Treasury has received one procedural review on grounds of late response.

Business Mileage Allowance

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to re-evaluate the business mileage allowance tax scheme.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor keeps the statutory tax free mileage allowance rates under review and considers changes in the context of the Budget and pre-Budget report statements.

Biofuels

John Pugh: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what changes (a) have been made and (b) are due to be made in the taxation of biofuels;
	(2)  what changes (a) have been made and (b) are due to be made in the taxation of red diesel.

John Healey: Duty rates for all fuels are reviewed annually as part of the Budget process. The following table sets out duty rates for rebated gas oil (red diesel) and biofuels (bioethanol and biodiesel) since 1997.
	
		
			 Date of rate change Gas oil (red diesel) Biodiesel Bioethanol Biodiesel used off-road 
		
		
			 2 July 1997 2.58
			 17 March 1998 2.82
			 9 March 1999 3.03
			 21 March 2000 3.13
			 26 July 2002  25.82  3.13 
			 9 April 2003 4.22
			 1 October 2003  27.10   
			 3 December 2004 5.22
			 1 January 2005   27.10  
		
	
	Notes:
	All duty rates listed are given in terms of pence per litre. Before the introduction of biodiesel rates in 2002, biodiesel was liable at the ultra low sulphur diesel rate and biodiesel used off-road was liable at the same rate as red diesel. Before the introduction of a separate bioethanol rate in 2005 bioethanol was liable at the same rate as ultra-low sulphur petrol.

Budget Reports (Chart B6)

Adam Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will set out the calculations and background statistics used in the compilation of Chart B6 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report of March 2005, HC 372, showing business investment relative to gross domestic product.

John Healey: The data sources for Chart B6 of the 2005 Financial Statement and Budget Report (FSBR) are available on the HM Treasury website, in a document entitled Budget 2005: data sources
	(http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/B07/A9/bud05_data_sources.pdf). The workings behind Chart B6 are set out after the chart on page 233 of the 2005 FSBR.

Child Trust Fund

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Child Trust Fund vouchers had been (a) issued and (b) invested as at 20 November; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The latest quarterly Child Trust Fund statistics were published this morning at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/child_trust_funds/child-trust-funds.htm
	These are the third set of statistics to be published under our schedule.

Correspondence

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the qualitative experiences of those receiving the new tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government have, and will continue to, monitor all aspects of the operation of the tax credits system. Where appropriate this will include the commissioning of research.

Departmental Relocation

Vincent Cable: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which buildings and sites used by his Department and related agencies (a) have ceased to be used in the last year and (b) will be closed under current plans for relocation.

Dawn Primarolo: The following Departments and agencies have not ceased to use any buildings or sites within the last year and do not have any plans to do so:
	HM Treasury
	Government Actuary's Department
	Debt Management Office
	Office for National Statistics
	National Savings and Investments
	Royal Mint
	Office of Government Commerce (OGC)
	However, OGCbuying.solutions will no longer have a permanent staff presence situated within London with effect from 31 September 2006. 20 posts will be relocated to Liverpool and a further eight posts will be re-classified as 'home based' workers. As a consequence, OGCbuying.solutions will vacate its offices in 35 Great Smith Street, London SW1.
	HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
	51 buildings and sites used by HMRC and the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) have ceased to be used in the last year. These are as follows:
	
		
			 Building name Town Valuation date 
		
		
			 East Midlands Airport Kennels Nr Castle Donnington 3 November 2004 
			 Portacabins, Falmouth Falmouth 20 November 2004 
			 Crown Buildings Chester Le Street 15 December 2004 
			 Unit 8 Orchard Trading Estate Manchester 24 December 2004 
			 Containerbase Coatbridge 13 January 2005 
			 Dog Kennels Plymouth 20 January 2005 
			 Swinson House (Unit 5) York 30 January 2005 
			 Chesterfield House Wembley 31 January 2005 
			 Building 109 Beverly Road Nr Castle Donnington 1 February 2005 
			 Crown House Hitchin 5 February 2005 
			 Unicorn House London 10 February 2005 
			 Trinity Park House Edinburgh 11 February 2005 
			 Princess House Barnstaple 27 February 2005 
			 Cumberland House Birmingham 28 February 2005 
			 Whitehall Shrewsbury 4 March 2005 
			 Woburn Place London 24 March 2005 
			 Cater House Chelmsford 31 March 2005 
			 Unit 3 Crown Court Colchester 31 March 2005 
			 Imperial Buildings Falmouth 31 March 2005 
			 Victoria Street Car Park Grimsby 31 March 2005 
			 Melbourne House London 31 March 2005 
			 Hadrian House Middlesbrough 31 March 2005 
			 St. James House Newcastle Upon Tyne 31 March 2005 
			 1st Floor, Units 3  4, Silverlink Business Park Wallsend 31 March 2005 
			 Paxton House Swindon 8 April 2005 
			 Duchy House London 15 April 2005 
			 Aviation House, London 25 April 2005 
			 Angel Yard Car Park Chesterfield 30 April 2005 
			 TPF Site Londonderry 30 May 2005 
			 Lower Upnor Depot Rochester 14 June 2005 
			 Scapa Pier Orkney 22 June 2005 
			 Pinnacle House Bootle 24 June 2005 
			 City Gate House London 24 June 2005 
			 Conquest House London 27 June 2005 
			 5th Floor, 10 Great George Street London 27 June 2005 
			 Custom House Berwick 30 June 2005 
			 Llangennach Folder Store Llanelli 30 June 2005 
			 Unit 14 Orchard Trading Estate Manchester 30 June 2005 
			 Harbour Masters Office Rye 30 June 2005 
			 Custom House Shoreham 30 June 2005 
			 Tyne Bridge Tower Gateshead 22 July 2005 
			 Custom House Isles of Scilly 31 July 2005 
			 Heath House Southend 31 July 2005 
			 Greyfriars House Aberdeen 18 August 2005 
			 Lancaster House London 21 August 2005 
			 Surrey House London 7 September 2005 
			 Fuller House, 1st Floor Telford 30 September 2005 
			 Park House Croydon 18 October 2005 
			 Lock Up Garage 5 Forest Road Torquay 22 October 2005 
			 Lock Up Garage 128 Union Street Torquay 22 October 2005 
			 Bentinck House Gloucester 29 November 2005 
		
	
	HMRC is preparing business plans to meet its efficiency savings for 200508. These targets include a net reduction of 12,500 in its staff and moving 1,950 posts out of London and the South East under the Government Relocation programme. Delivering these targets means that the Department will be reviewing its estate on an ongoing basis to ensure that it remains in line with its needs. When HMRC takes any decision to close offices in future, letters will be sent to the Members of Parliament for the constituencies in which those offices are located and these letters, and the accompanying press release, will be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff in his Department were (a) civil servants, (b) contractors and (c) other staff in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The number of civil servants working in the Department can be found in Civil Service Statistics, published by the Cabinet Office. This publication is available in the Library or online at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_of_the_civil_service/statistics/civil_service_ statistics/index.asp.
	Information concerning contractors and other workers is shown in the Department's Resource Accounts within the Department Report for the 200405 period only. This is available in the Library or online at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/departmental_ reports/deptreport_index.cfm. This information for previous years has not been centrally recorded and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

ECOFIN Meetings

Graham Brady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Treasury Minister has attended each ECOFIN meeting since 1 May 1997.

Ivan Lewis: Ministerial attendance and the outcome of each ECOFIN have been reported either by written ministerial statement, written answer or, occasionally, by letter to the chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee.

EU Budget Rebate

Michael Penning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the income tax rate equivalent is of the UK's EU budget rebate.

Ivan Lewis: In 200405 the value of the UK abatement was equivalent to 2.9 per cent. of revenue raised from income tax in that year.

Exports

Adam Holloway: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value was of British exports to (a) the Eurozone area, (b) the pre-enlargement 15 EU member states and (c) the post-enlargement 25 EU member states in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The Information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnel, dated 30 November 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking for the total value of British exports to (a) the Eurozone area, (b) the pre-enlargement 15 EU member states and (c) the post-enlargement 25 EU member states in each year since 1997 (32649).
	The attached table shows exports on a Balance of Payments basis in  million for goods and services for those years for which the data are available. They are consistent with the estimates published on 9 November 2005 in the UK trade First Release and on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1119.
	
		
			  Exports of goods Exports of services 
			  Eurozone area EU15 ( million) EU25 ( million) Eurozone area EU15 ( million) EU25 ( million) 
		
		
			 1997 89504 96,048 n/a 20012 22,254 n/a 
			 1998 89241 95,690 98,995 22935 25,536 n/a 
			 1999 91771 97,860 101,191 25896 28,487 29,340 
			 2000 101464 107,990 111,955 28605 31,600 32,574 
			 2001 103493 109,710 113,893 30131 33,605 34,665 
			 2002 103215 109,815 114,123 31214 34,504 35,704 
			 2003 99893 105,896 110,589 33063 36,677 37,998 
			 2004 99875 106,274 110,904 34777 38,391 40,066 
		
	
	n/a = not available.

Financial Inclusion Task Force

Ben Chapman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects the Financial Inclusion Task Force to report on lower income groups' access to non-charging cash machines.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Inclusion Task Force was set up by Government to monitor progress towards financial inclusion, in particular, access to banking, affordable credit and free face-to-face money advice. The terms of reference of the taskforce do not require it to report on fee-charging ATMs, however, it has commissioned research into how low income households access their cash and transmit money. Among other things, this work will identify the extent to which fee-charging ATMs are disproportionately used by the financially excluded. The results of this work are expected next year. In addition, the Treasury continues to maintain regular contact with LINK to discuss issues relating to the ATM market and to keep up to date with any developments.

HMRC

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many officers from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs Department have been (a) permanently and (b) temporarily based outside the United Kingdom in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The following table shows the numbers of HM Revenue and Customs staff based overseas at the 1 April in each of the last five years.
	
		
			  Permanently based(9) Temporarily based 
		
		
			 2001 279 18 
			 2002 268 18 
			 2003 284 17 
			 2004 285 14 
			 2005 230 19 
		
	
	(9) Based at the channel tunnel entry point at Coquelles, France.
	HMRC also has staff based overseas on intelligence and criminal investigation duties, but information on these cannot be made available as it might prejudice the security of those officers and HMRC operations. .

Home Information Packs

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2005, Official Report, column 1137W, on home information packs, when the Government expects to take a decision on whether to levy VAT on home information packs.

Dawn Primarolo: The exact nature of the packs, and how they will be provided, is still under consideration by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). Draft regulations have been published for consultation by the ODPM and the consultation period ends on 30 December.
	The packs will be subject to the normal rules of VAT, as set out in the VAT Act 1994, HM Revenue and Customs will discuss the VAT position in detail with ODPM.

IT Projects

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the current (a) estimated cost and (b) expected completion date is of each information technology project on the list deposited by his Department in the Library on 19 January 2004.

John Healey: The information requested is being placed in the Library of the House.

Life Expectancy

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the life expectancy of (a) men and (b) women in each (i) region, (ii) county, (iii) socio-economic group and (iv) age cohort (A) 30 to 39, (B) 20 to 29, (C) 10 to 19 and (D) 0 to 9 years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 November 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what estimate has been made of the life expectancy of (a) men and (b) women (i) by region and county, (ii) by socio-economic group and (iii) by age cohort (A) 30 to 39, (B) 20 to 29, (C) 10 to 19 and (D) 0 to 9 years. (32416)
	(i) Figures on life expectancy at birth for males and females for English regions are published annually by ONS based on three-year rolling averages. The most recent results, for 20022004, are included in the table below. Results for earlier years, from 19911993 onwards, are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=8841
	ONS does not publish life expectancy results at county level. However figures for current English counties have been calculated by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, using data from ONS. These are available on their website at:
	http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/fti
	(ii) Figures on life expectancy for males and females by socio-economic group are available from the ONS Longitudinal Study, a one per cent sample of the population. Figures showing life expectancy at birth and at age 65 by the Registrar General's Social Classes are available for the periods 19721976 to 19972001. These are available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=8460
	(iii) All the figures referred to above are period life expectancies. For a particular area or social class in a given time period these figures are estimates of the average number of years a new-born baby would survive if he or she experienced the age-specific mortality rates for that area or social class in that time period throughout his or her life.
	The Government Actuary's Department has also calculated cohort life expectancies. For people of a given age their cohort life expectancy is an estimate of how long they would live, on average, if they experienced the actual or projected age-specific mortality rates relevant to their cohort in subsequent years.
	Cohort life expectancies at birth and five-yearly age intervals for the years 1981 to 2054 for the United Kingdom and its constituent countries, calculated using historic mortality rates and projected mortality rates from 2004-based national population projections, can be accessed from the GAD website at:
	http://www.gad.gov.uk/Life_Tables/Period_and_cohort_eol.htm
	
		Life expectancy at birth (years), by Government office region in England, 200204
		
			 Government office region Males Females 
		
		
			 North East 75.0 79.6 
			 North West 75.1 79.7 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 75.8 80.4 
			 East Midlands 76.5 80.7 
			 West Midlands 75.9 80.6 
			 East of England 77.6 81.6 
			 London 76.5 81.1 
			 South East 77.7 81.8 
			 South West 77.8 82.0

Lyons Inquiry

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether (a) his Department and (b) the Valuation Office Agency has made a written submission to the Lyons Inquiry on local government finance.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer she received on 12 September 2005, Official Report, column 2431W from the Minister for Local Government.

Maladministration

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many payments for maladministration have been made by (a) his Department, (b) its agencies, (c) its non-departmental public bodies and (d) other bodies for which his Department has responsibility in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Information concerning payments related to maladministration is not available.

National Insurance

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was raised in (a) national insurance contributions and (b) income tax from 16 to 18-year-olds during the 200405 financial year.

Dawn Primarolo: The information on the amounts raised in the national insurance contributions and income tax from 16 to 18-year-olds in the last financial year is not available.

Northern Ireland (Fiscal Regime)

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to ensure that Northern Ireland presents a more attractive fiscal regime.

Des Browne: The funding arrangements for Northern Ireland are set out in the Statement of Funding Policy published by the Treasury in July 2004. Public spending per head in Northern Ireland is higher than in any other region of the UK.

Predictive Diallers

John Hemming: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many calls were made by (a) his Department and (b) Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in 200405 using predictive diallers; how many such calls resulted in contact being made with the recipient without a Government agent available to talk to them; and what assessment he has made of the likely impact of Ofcom's policy on silent calls on the use of predictive diallers by his Department.

Dawn Primarolo: In respect of the Treasury, I refer the hon. Member to the Financial Secretary's reply of 15 November 2005, Official Report, column 1209W. The Treasury does not use predictive diallers.
	HM Revenue and Customs was created as a legal entity on 7 April 2005. Of the two former Departments, HM Customs and Excise did not make use of predictive diallers during the period.
	It is estimated that the Inland Revenueand contractors acting on its behalfmade around 7.5 million calls using predictive diallers during 200405. Full information is not available on the number of calls where contact was made but operators were not available.
	HMRC is considering Ofcom's latest policy and guidance on silent calls alongside the associated Ofcom Consultation Document which was published on 31 October.

Private Finance Initiative

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value of private finance initiative contracts on the Government Balance Sheet was as at July.

John Healey: Based on departmental returns, the total value of private finance initiative contracts on the Government Balance Sheet is 23.1 billion. This figure is the aggregate of the initial capital values of on-balance sheet PFI contracts signed.

Race Equality Impact Assessments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many race equality impact assessments his Department completed between (a) April 2004 and March 2005 and (b) April 2005 and November 2005; and how many assessments in each period resulted in a change of policy.

John Healey: The Treasury actively embraces its duties under the Race Relations Act. It works with other departments on a wide range of policies, and in turn those departments are responsible for producing race equality impact assessments (REIAs). In addition, successive Pre-Budget and Budget reports have given explicit commitments to promoting equality, fairness and opportunity and have published the distributional analyses necessary to deliver change.
	The Treasury has not led on any REIAs between April 2004 and November 2005. A copy of the Treasury's race equality scheme, which gives information on how the Treasury meets its duties to promote race equality, can be accessed via the following link:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./media/1B7/85/ race_equality_scheme0507051.pdf

Railways

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much debt the Government holds on and off balance sheet for London and Continental Railways Ltd.; and whether this debt assumes par value.

Derek Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	The most recent accounts produced by London and Continental Railways Ltd. (LCR) showed that, as of 31 December 2004, it held total debt of 6.2 billion.
	The Government do not hold any debt for LCR. However, the Office for National Statistics currently classifies 1.25 billion of the debt held by LCR as government borrowing in the National Accounts. The remainder of LCR's debt is classified to the private sector.

Renewable Fuels

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will reduce duty on renewable fuels to accompany the introduction of the Government's Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations.

John Healey: The Chancellor announces changes to taxation policy in the context of the Budget.

Road Fuel Imports

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been stopped by HM Customs and Excise for importing road fuel in excess of the 10 litres allowed free of excise duty in each year from 2001.

John Healey: HM Revenue and Customs record seizures of road fuel improperly imported. The following table details the numbers of seizures in calendar years.
	
		
			  Number of seizures of imported oil 
			 Calendar year Under 100 litres Over 100 litres 
		
		
			 2001 7 85 
			 2002 5 66 
			 2003 6 24 
			 2004 6 8

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether it is possible for a tax credit award in payment to be fraudulently redirected to a new bank account without detection; and what systems exist to prevent this;
	(2)  in how many cases identity fraud has been suspected following contact from tax credit recipients asking why their award has stopped, for each month since April 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: Tax credit claimants can notify HMRC of changes to their bank details. This is normally done by telephone to one of the Department's contact centres. Before any change to a person's details are made; however, the caller must satisfy a variety of security questions designed around personal information held about them by HMRC.
	HMRC have a number of sophisticated measures in place to help them detect fraud and to minimise the risk of fraudulent payments being made this way.
	The information requested on the number of cases where identity fraud has been suspected following contact from tax credit recipients is not available.

Tax Credits

William McCrea: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average time taken to process annual tax credits declarations; what measures have been put in place to speed up current processing times; and whether a new annual tax credits declaration may be submitted before a dispute about an overpayment for previous years has been settled.

Dawn Primarolo: For average processing times, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Guildford (Anne Milton) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) on 2 November 2005, Official Report, column 1058W.
	Claimants who are required to make a declaration must do so by 30 September, following the end of the year of claim, whether or not they have an ongoing dispute with HM Revenue and Customs about a tax credits overpayment.

Tax Credits

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total estimated cost of dealing with tax credit overpayments made to people in Northern Ireland has been; and what the average cost was of a tax credit overpayment in Northern Ireland in 2005.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Tax Credits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in how many tax credit cases from 200304 in Scotland an overpayment was identified where there was no ongoing award.

Dawn Primarolo: There were around 25,000 200304 tax credit awards made to families in Scotland, where an overpayment was identified at April 2004 but there was no ongoing award.

Tax Credits

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what definition of product development he uses in relation to tax credits; and whether this includes design development.

John Healey: Research and development (RD) tax credits are available for expenditure on qualifying activities, defined under the DTI's guidelines of 5 March 2004. RD takes place where an activity seeks to achieve an advance in science or technologythrough the resolution of scientific or technological uncertainty.
	Product development activities qualify for RD tax credits where they meet the definition in DTI guidelines.
	Design permeates the process of new product development; design activities also qualify for RD tax credits where they meet this definition.

Tax Revenue

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the annual yield from taxes with an ecological impact in each year from 199697 to 200506; and what the amount is as a percentage of (a) total tax revenue and (b) GDP for each tax.

John Healey: The information requested on the environmental taxes (landfill tax, Climate Change Levy and Aggregates Levy) are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Yield(10) ( million) Percentage of net taxes and social security contributions Percentage of GDP(11) 
		
		
			 Landfill Tax
			 199697(12) 113 0.04 0.01 
			 199798 361 0.12 0.04 
			 199899 333 0.10 0.04 
			 19992000 430 0.13 0.05 
			 200001 462 0.13 0.05 
			 200102 502 0.14 0.05 
			 200203 541 0.14 0.05 
			 200304 607 0.15 0.05 
			 200405 674 0.16 0.06 
			 200506(13) 700 0.16 0.06 
			 
			 Climate Change Levy
			 200102 555 0.15 0.06 
			 200203 829 0.22 0.08 
			 200304 832 0.21 0.07 
			 200405 772 0.18 0.07 
			 200506(13) 800 0.17 0.06 
			 
			 Aggregates levy
			 200203 247 0.07 0.02 
			 200304 339 0.08 0.03 
			 200405 335 0.08 0.03 
			 200506(13) 300 0.07 0.03 
		
	
	(10) Cash receipts, Source: HM Revenue and Customs.
	(11) Money GDP, Source: HM Treasury.
	(12) From October 1996.
	(13) Projected.

Unemployment

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the registered unemployed in the Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency were (a) 25 years and under, (b) 26 to 35 years, (c) 36 to 45 years, (d) 46 to 55 years and (e) over 55 years on the latest date for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 30 November 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. (32756)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles unemployment statistics for small areas from the Annual Population Survey following International Labour Organisation definitions.
	Table 1 shows the percentage of unemployed, by specified age groups, who were resident in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland Parliamentary Constituency for the 12 month period ending in March 2005. These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to sampling variability.
	ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (ISA). Table 2 shows the percentage of ISA claimants, by age bands, resident in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency for October 2005.
	
		Table 1: Percentage of unemployed by age bands resident in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency12 months ending March 2005
		
			 Age band Percentage 
		
		
			 25 and under 44.4 
			 26 to 35 16.3 
			 36 to 45 16.5 
			 46 to 55 10.6 
			 Over 55 12.2 
			 Total number unemployed 2,800 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual population survey
	
		Table 2: Percentage of claimants of jobseekers allowance by age bands resident in the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituencyOctober 2005
		
			 Age band Percentage 
		
		
			 25 and under 40.2 
			 26 to 35 20.8 
			 36 to 45 17.3 
			 46 to 55 14.8 
			 Over 55 6.8 
			 Total number JSA claimants 1,660 
		
	
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether the Valuation Office Agency's computer assisted mass appraisal system will be used for (a) inheritance tax purposes and (b) property-based taxes other than council tax or business rates;
	(2)  whether the Valuation Office Agency uses (a) dwelling house codes and (b) value significant codes to assess the value of domestic properties for (i) inheritance tax purposes (ii) capital gains tax and (iii) property-based taxes other than council tax or business rates;
	(3)  whether the Inland Revenue will have access to the Valuation Office Agency's Automated Value Model computer database used for council tax valuations.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office is an executive Agency of Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC). The Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 provides for the sharing of information across HMRC for tax purposes.
	The Valuation Office Agency uses information it has gathered for council tax purposes for other functions where it has statutory authority to do so. This includes making valuations of domestic properties for (i) inheritance tax (ii) capital gains tax and (iii) other property based taxes.
	As my hon. colleague the Minister for Local Government indicated in Standing Committee on 16 November, the Valuation Office Agency is currently considering other uses to which the automated valuation model can be put and the benefits it can bring.

WALES

Smoking

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the likely impact on pubs along the Shropshire-Wales border of a smoking ban in England.

Nick Ainger: Assessments on the impact of any ban on smoking in pubs in cross border areas will be addressed in the regulatory impact assessments that will accompany the Health Bill.
	I am pleased to have secured provisions in the Health Bill to enable the Assembly to implement a full ban on smoking in enclosed public places in Wales. One of the most important cross-border implications of the ban in Wales will be that English visitors to Wales will enjoy a smoke-free environment in all enclosed public places.

Employment

Betty Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on employment levels in (a) Conwy and (b) Wales.

Peter Hain: Employment in Wales continues to rise, with more people in work than ever before. According to latest figures, the number of people in employment in Wales rose by 27,000 in the last quarter compared with the same period a year earlier and the employment rate in Conwy remains above that of Wales as a whole.

Council Tax

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the revaluation of Welsh properties for the purposes of council tax.

Nick Ainger: My right hon. Friend and I regularly discuss matters relating to local government in Wales with our ministerial colleagues.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many appeals there were in Wales against council tax banding following the 2005 council tax revaluation; and how many appeals have so far been (a) wholly and (b) partly (i) refused and (ii) granted.

Peter Hain: As at 31 October 2005 the Valuation Office Agency had received 8,567 formal appeals against the 2005 council tax lists. As at the same date 2,838 had been settled, of which 1,765 resulted in an amendment to the council tax band.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the Government intended the council tax revaluation in Wales to be revenue neutral.

Peter Hain: The council tax revaluation in Wales was a matter for the Welsh Assembly Government. The purpose of revaluation was to keep council tax banding up to date with changing property prices. It was intended to be, and was, revenue neutral.
	There is no direct relationship between the revaluation and the overall amount of tax revenue.

New Hospitals

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State forWales what discussions he has had with the National Assembly for Wales Minister for Health on funding forthe provision of new hospitals serving patients in Wales.

Nick Ainger: I regularly meet the Assembly Minister for Health and Social Services to discuss a range of issues including funding for the provision of new hospitals in Wales.
	Capital expenditure for building hospitals is detailed within the Welsh Assembly's Capital Investment Plan. This includes a major rebuilding scheme aimed at modernising health and social care and increasing capacity.

Nuclear Power Stations

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues about building new nuclear power stations in Wales.

Peter Hain: I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues including energy.
	The Prime Minister has said that the Government will be publishing proposals on energy policy next year. In developing these proposals, we will be looking at the impact of new nuclear build on helping us to meet our Energy White Paper goals. The review will be examining a wide-range of options for helping us meet these goals.

Health Service (Commissioning)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on proposals for commissioning in the Health Service in Wales.

Nick Ainger: The commissioning and provision of health and social care services in Wales is a matter for local health boards to determine, based on their judgement of competing priorities.

Renewable Energy

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on grants for domestic renewable energy facilities in Wales.

Peter Hain: I have regular discussions with DTI colleagues on a range of energy matters, including renewable programmes. A 30 million funding package for microgeneration has recently been announced.

Licensing Hours

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Waleshow many applications have been granted for 24 hour sale of alcohol licences in (a) Newport and (b) Wales.

Nick Ainger: I understand that three applications have been granted by Newport city council, all for retail sites. I further understand that 61 applications have been granted by local authorities in Wales, and that 40 of these are for retail sites.

Local Government

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what estimate the Government has made of the cost to local councils in Wales of the implementation of section 77 of the Local Government Act 2003.

Peter Hain: Revaluation was undertaken by the Valuation Office Agency and the costs were met by the Agency out of the funding it receives from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Local Government

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether his Department has made a written submission to the Lyons Inquiry on local government finance.

Peter Hain: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer given to her by the Minister for Local Government on 12 September 2005, Official Report, column 2431W.

Maladministration

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many payments for maladministration have been made in each of the last five years by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: None.

Sick Leave

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many of his Department's employees who are within one year of the official retirement age are on extended sick leave.

Peter Hain: None.

UK Energy Policy

John Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly and his ministerial colleagues regarding an integrated energy policy for the UK.

Peter Hain: I have regular such discussions with both. The Energy White Paper, which was developed in collaboration with the Assembly, provides the framework for energy policy in the UK.

MINISTER FOR WOMEN

Equal Pay

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what recent steps the Government have taken to reduce the pay gap between men and women; and what evaluation she has made of the effectiveness of these steps.

Meg Munn: The pay gap between men and women is gradually decreasing, this year the full-time median gender pay gap went down from 14.5 per cent. in 2004 to 13.2 per cent. This is an achievement we are proud of and committed to build upon.
	As part of their remit, the Women and Work Commission have looked at the different labour market factors which act as barriers to women's chances of entering and progressing through work, in particular, to ensure employers make the best use of the skills and potential of women returning to the labour market. I look forward to their final report early in the new year, which will contain recommendations to further tackle to the gender pay gap.
	We have also introduced a number of measures to tackle the gender pay gap. Since we introduced the right to request flexible working, almost a quarter of parents with children under six have requested to work flexiblythese requests are most likely to be from female employees. The Work and Families Bill, published last month, will extend the scope of flexible working law to carers of adults.
	The national minimum wage, which increased to 5.05 in October this year, continues to play a part in reducing the gender pay gap. Around 70 per cent. of the beneficiaries of the uprating of the national minimum wage in October 2004 were women.
	We have made progress in tackling this issue and with the findings of the Women and Work Commission and with the appropriate measures in place, we hope to progress further in reducing the gap between men and women.

DEFENCE

Army Prosecuting Authority

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the outcomes of all cases handled by the Army Prosecuting Authority in the last 12-month period for which figures are available in which all proceedings are complete; in what percentage of cases proceedings were abandoned; and what the reasons were in each case.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	In the period from 1 November 2004 to 31 October 2005, 856 cases were referred to the APA for consideration as to whether trial should be directed. Of those cases, 641 were directed for trial. 65 cases were discontinued after direction for trial, leaving 576 which proceeded to trial. The outcome of cases are not centrally recorded, nor are the reasons for abandonment, and to retrieve this information would incur disproportionate cost.

Astute-class Submarines

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for submarines to be built at Barrow-in-Furness after the completion of the first three Astute-class boats.

Adam Ingram: The Barrow yard will remain the UK's centre of excellence for submarine building.

Astute-class Submarines

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of possible economies which may be achieved by ordering future Astute-class submarines more than one at a time.

Adam Ingram: The procurement strategy for future Astute boats is currently being considered and announcements will be made at the appropriate time.

Astute-class Submarines

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the timetable for building further Astute-class submarines is compatible with that for building future ship submersible ballistic nuclears to replace the Vanguard-class.

John Reid: No decisions on any replacement for the Vanguard-class submarines have yet been taken. Orders for further Astute-class submarines, beyond the three already on order, are being considered and announcements will be made at the appropriate time. There is no reason to believe that there is any incompatibility between the possible future demands that may arise from these potential requirements.

Civil Service Relocation (Scotland)

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many departmental civil service jobs have been relocated to Scotland in each year since 2001.

Don Touhig: holding answer 28 November 2005
	Details of the number of departmental civil service jobs relocated to Scotland are not available, as this information is not held centrally by the Department, and obtaining the data would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental Finance

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to remove in-service fighting equipment and associated intangible assets from the top-level budget-holder balance sheets to a central balance sheet; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: Yes, this is part of a wider programme to simplify and improve our financial management processes, in order to yield efficiencies and enhance decision making.

Departmental Finance

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by how much his Department's end of year flexibility was changed under the Treasury's cash management scheme in financial year 200405.

John Reid: Following the introduction of the Treasury's cash management scheme, the Ministry of Defence's end year adjustment was 25,000 in 200304 (net charge) and 95,000 in 200405 (net rebate). These adjustments were reflected in the carry forwards for 200405 and 200506 respectively.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department were (a) civil servants, (b) contractors and (c) other staff in each year since 1997.

Don Touhig: The following table gives details of Ministry of Defence civilian strength by Full Time Equivalence (FTE) as at 1 April for the years 1997 to 2005. Data for the number of contractors employed over the listed period are not centrally held.
	
		FTE
		
			 April Civil servants(14) Other(15) Total 
		
		
			 1997 117,470 15,860 133,330 
			 1998 111,140 15,160 126,290 
			 1999 108,140 14,870 123,010 
			 2000 106,440 14,850 121,290 
			 2001 104,820 13,340 118,170 
			 2002(16) 95,980 14,120 110,090 
			 2003 93,740 13,840 107,580 
			 2004 93,620 15,430 109,050 
			 2005 92,810 15,660 108,470 
		
	
	(14) Total for civil servants includes all permanent and casual staff, as well as staff employed by Trading Funds and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, but excludes staff employed as Locally Engaged civilians.
	(15) Total for Other is comprised of locally engaged civilian staff who are employed overseas.
	(16) In 2001 the QinetiQ portion of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (8,000) was established as a private company.
	Note:
	Due to the rounding methods used, figures are rounded to the nearest 10, and individual totals for each year may not match precisely to the overall total.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff in his Department have been relocated into London and the South East in each of the last five years for which records are available.

Don Touhig: Details of the number of departmental civil service jobs relocated to London and the South East are not available, as this information is not held centrally by the Ministry of Defence, and obtaining the data would incur disproportionate costs.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) officers, (b) other ranks, (c) support personnel and (d) administrative staff were employed by his Department in each year since 1997; and what proportion of his Department's budget was attributed to the employment of each group.

Don Touhig: The following table gives details of Ministry of Defence personnel strength for officers, other ranks, support personnel and administrative staff as at 1 April for the years 1997 to 2005. This includes Full-time Reserve Service Personnel, Gurkhas, Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service), Gibraltar Permanent Cadre and Non-regular Permanent Staff (NPRS). Civilian support staff are the Locally Engaged Civilians and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, with administrative staff consisting of all other civil servants within the MOD.
	
		
			  As at 1 April 
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 UK Regular Strength1, 6  
			 All Services 210,820 210,140 208,640 207,620 205,650 
			 Officers 32,680 32,620 32,240 32,520 32,630 
			 Other Ranks 178,150 177,510 176,400 175,100 173,020 
			   
			 Non-Regular Strength(22)  
			 FTRS2, 3, 4 n/a 130 630 (23)1,040 (23)1,600 
			 FTRS Officers(20) n/a 50 190 (23)330 (23)670 
			 FTRS Ranks n/a 80 440 710 930 
			   
			 Gurkhas 3,760 3,640 3,580 3,670 3,780 
			 Officers 150 130 130 130 130 
			 Soldiers 3,610 3,510 3,460 3,540 3,660 
			   
			 Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) 4,770 4,620 4,450 4,170 3,840 
			 Officers 200 210 200 210 190 
			 Ranks 4,570 4,410 4,250 3,950 3,650 
			   
			 Gibraltar Permanent Cadre 140 160 160 160 160 
			 Officers 10 10 10 10 10 
			 Ranks 130 150 140 150 150 
			   
			 Non-regular Permanent Staff (NRPS)(21) 1,420 1,400 1,400 1,390 1,210 
			 Officers 430 400 400 430 400 
			 Ranks 990 1,000 1,000 960 810 
		
	
	
		
			  2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 UK Regular Strength1, 6 
			 All Services 204,690 206,920 207,020 201,100 
			 Officers 32,750 33,160 33,450 33,000 
			 Other Ranks 171,940 173,770 173,580 168,100 
			  
			 Non-Regular Strength(22) 
			 FTRS2, 3, 4 (23)1,960 (23)2,360 (23)2,220 1,690 
			 FTRS Officers(20) (23)670 (23)800 (23)740 620 
			 FTRS Ranks 1,290 1,560 1,480 1060 
			  
			 Gurkhas 3,800 3,760 3,720 3,690 
			 Officers 130 140 130 130 
			 Soldiers 3,670 3,630 3,590 3,560 
			  
			 Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) 3,640 3,500 3,410 3,220 
			 Officers 230 220 210 200 
			 Ranks 3,410 3,280 3,200 3010 
			  
			 Gibraltar Permanent Cadre 180 180 180 180 
			 Officers 10 20 20 10 
			 Ranks 160 160 160 170 
			  
			 Non-regular Permanent Staff (NRPS)(21) 1,140 1,100 1,110 1080 
			 Officers 340 300 270 210 
			 Ranks 800 800 840 870 
		
	
	n/a=denotes not applicable
	(17) Figures show trained and untrained personnel.
	(18) FTRS were created by the Reserve Forces Act 1996 and none existed before late 1997 they were formally recorded from late 1998 only.
	(19) FTRS figures include full commitment (FC), home commitment (HC) and limited commitment (LC) individuals. For the Army, FC and LC individuals serve against the requirement whilst HC individuals fill posts specifically for the FTRS personnel. For the RAF, FC individuals serve against the requirement whilst HC and LC individuals fill posts specifically for the FTRS personnel.
	(20) Army FTRS officer figures from 2000 to 2004 are currently under review and should be considered provisional. Figures from 2001 to 2004 have been supplied by Army Personnel Centre. 1 April 2001 figure is not available, figure is for 1 March 2001.
	(21) Non-regular permanent staff (NRPS) are Territorial Army personnel who provide training and administration to Territorial Army units on a permanent full-time basis. They are included within the Territorial Army Group B, together with Officer Training Corps personnel. Further details may be found in Tri-Service Publication (TSP) 7, UK Reserves and Cadets, a copy of which is held in the Library of the House.
	(22) Due to the founding methods used, totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. When founding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.
	(23) Provisional.
	Source:
	DASA(Tri Service)
	
		
			  As at 1 April 
			 Civilians (FTE4, 5) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 All Civilian personnel 133,530 126,490 123,120 121,390 118,220 
			 LEG(24) 15,860 15,160 14,870 14,850 13,340 
			 Manually paid staff overseas 200 200 100 100 50 
			 RFA(25) 2,210 2,360 2,360 2,420 2,360 
			 Other Civil Servants 115,260 108,770 105,780 104,020 102,460 
		
	
	
		
			 Civilians (FTE4, 5) 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 All Civilian personnel 110,090 107,580 109,050 108,470 
			 LEG(24) 14,120 13,840 15,430 15,660 
			 Manually paid staff overseas 
			 RFA(25) 2,370 2,450 2,310 2,350 
			 Other Civil Servants (26)93,610 91,280 91,310 90,460 
		
	
	(24) LEC are locally engaged civilians who support the department overseas and are not civil servants.
	(25) RFA are Royal Fleet Auxiliaries who support the Navy but are civil servants.
	(26) In 2001 the QinetiQ portion of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (8,000) was established as a private company.
	(27) Due to the rounding methods used, totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.
	(28) Full-time equivalent (FTE) results show part time civilian staff as a proportion of the hours they work.
	Source:
	DASA(Civilian).
	The following table show Ministry of Defence personnel expenditure data broken down for both civilian and the UK armed forces for the same period as above and also expressed as a proportion of the aggregate defence budget.
	
		Financial outturn for each financial year
		
			  Inclusive of non-recoverable VAT at current prices (million) 
			   million Service Civilian Percentage service Percentage civilian 
		
		
			 Adjusted Defence Budget(29)  
			 199697 22,345 5,938 2,355 26.6 10.5 
			 199798 21,610 6,286 2,270 29.1 10.5 
			 199899 22,475 6,257 2,273 27.8 10.1 
			 19992000 22,549 6,500 2,268 28.8 10.1 
			 200001 23,538 6,223 2,409 26.4 10.2 
			   
			 Using net cash requirement2  
			 200102 26,100 7,014 2,442 26.9 9.4 
			 200203 27,334 7,385 2,584 27.0 9.5 
			   
			 Using defence spending3  
			 200304 31,078 7,974 2,461 25.7 7.9 
			 200405(32) 32,597 8,274 2,662 25.4 8.2 
		
	
	(29) The adjusted defence budget was used when the department reported under a cash regime to provide consistent figures for defence spending. For further details please refer to Footnote 6 of table 1.1, UK Defence Statistics 2001.
	(30) During 200102 and 200303 the Department introduced resource accounting and budgeting (RAB) in two stages. To provide roughly comparable figures with pre and post full RAB the net cash requirement to represent the defence budget. The net cash requirement (NCR) is the actual money that MOD requests from the Government in order to fund its activities. The NCR takes account of movements in working capital levels (debtors, creditors, stock) whilst excluding ail non-cash costs.
	(31) Following the full introduction of RAB, the Defence Spending line from UK Defence Statistics Table 1.1a has been employed (UK Defence Statistics 2005, page 14).
	(32) Provisional outturn data are provided for 200405.
	Source:
	UK Defence Statistics

Departmental Websites

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will take steps to ensure the Department's websites attain the W3C AAA standard of accessibility for people with visual and other disabilities; and if he will set a target date for this standard to be achieved by.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has five principal corporate websites, and we take seriously the requirement to make them accessible for people with visual and other disabilities. The e-Government unit of the Cabinet Office mandates the W3C 'A' standard of accessibility, and identifies some elements of the 'AA' and 'AAA' standards as best practice. We aspire to achieve the 'AA' standard in full, as well as the best practice elements of 'AAA'. Where this is not currently being met we have a programme of work to ensure that we will achieve it. The status of current and future achievement of this aspiration is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Site Current status Future development 
		
		
			 www.mod.uk Majority of the site meets the 'A' standard or above Following launch of redeveloped site in January 2006, whole site will aim to achieve the 'AA' standard 
			 www.foi.mod.uk Partially meets the 'A' standard Is being amalgamated into the corporate site and so will also aim to achieve the 'AA' standard from January 2006 
			 www.army.mod.uk Partially meets the 'A' standard Site software currently being amended to allow addition of alternative text to images. This will be enabled from end of November 2005 leading to significant improvement in accessibility compliance 
			 www.royal-navy.mod.uk Partially meets the 'A' standard Following launch of redeveloped site in Jan 2006, whole site will aim to achieve the 'AA' standard 
			 www.raf.mod.uk Partially meets the 'A' standard A redeveloped site will launch late 2006 and will aim to achieve the 'AA' standard 
		
	
	A number of other, generally small, websites are maintained by subsidiary organisations of the MOD and armed forces. However, information on their standards of accessibility is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

European Airlift Transport Co-ordination Cell

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether it is his policy that the United Kingdom should join the European Airlift Transport Co-ordination Cell.

John Reid: I assume that the question refers to the European Airlift Centre. The UK was a founding member of this organisation. The other members are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain. Nations that are members of the European Airlift Centre can use its services in support of their own national requirements and also in support of international organisations such as NATO and the EU.

Nuclear Deterrent

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish consultation documents relating to the decision on the replacement of Trident.

John Reid: I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Pendle (Mr. Prentice) during defence questions on 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 692.

Race Equality Impact Assessments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Race Equality Impact Assessments his Department completed between (a) April 2004 and March 2005 and (b) April 2005 and November 2005; and how many assessments in each period resulted in a change of policy.

Don Touhig: Between April 2004 and March 2005 the Ministry of Defence completed 20 Race Equality Impact Assessments (REIAs). Of these, one resulted in a policy change. No centrally co-ordinated figures are yet available for the period April 2005 to November 2005 as we collect statistics on an annual basis. Figures for 200506 will be collected as part of our next Race Equality Scheme (RES) data monitoring exercise and published in our 200506 RES report.

UK Service Medals

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the theatres of service in which UK service medals other than general service medals have ceased to be awarded, broken down by (a) date and (b) reasons for the decision in each case.

Don Touhig: Campaign or operational service medals no longer in issue would have been terminated because the operation ended or the risk and rigour diminished. Other than general service medals, the following UK campaign and operational service medals have been awarded since the end of the Second World War:
	Medals for Individual Campaigns or Operations:
	Korea Medal-1 July 1950 to 27 July 1953
	Rhodesia Medal-1 December 1979 to 20 March 1980.
	South Atlantic Medal-2 April to 12 July 1982.
	Gulf Medal-2 August 1990 to 7 March 1991.
	Iraq Medal-20 January 2003 to a date to be decided. (Clasp '19 March to 28 April 2003')
	Operational Service Medal with Ribbon for:
	Sierra Leone-5 May 2000 to 31 July 2002.
	Afghanistan-11 September 2001-to a date to be decided.

White Phosphorus

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions he has had with US authorities regarding the use of white phosphorous in Iraq.

John Reid: None.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Departmental Staff

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State forEducation and Skills how much it costs to employ (a) (i) multiple part-time and (ii) jobshare staff to a full-time post and (b) a full time member of staff for (A) herDepartment and (B) the Learning and Skills Council.

Maria Eagle: 'Part-time, jobshare and full time staff in both the Department and the Learning and Skills Council are paid at the same hourly rate as one another. The overall costs and benefits of employing part-time, jobshare or full-time staff depend on the particular circumstances and individuals involved.

Departmental Staff

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) temporary and (b) agency staff she has had working in her Department in the last three years; how long each one has been employed for in total over that period and how many have been taken on as permanent staff.

Maria Eagle: My Department was established in June 2001. Statistics for temporary agency staff are recorded by days worked and the information detailed in the following table is for the calendar years 2002, 2003, and 2004.
	
		
			 Calendar year Days worked 
		
		
			 2002 31,229 
			 2003 27,087 
			 2004 16,940 
		
	
	The number of temporary staff engaged during the same period varied on a month by month basis. The average use for the calendar years 2002, 2003, 2004 is detailed in the following table:
	
		
			 Calendar year Average number of temporary staff 
		
		
			 2002 112.2 
			 2003 99.6 
			 2004 72.8 
		
	
	We do keep statistics on the length of time each individual was employed for. We can also confirm that no agency or temporary staff were subsequently offered permanent appointments.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students aged 16 to 18 years of age are in receipt of education maintenance allowance in each institution in (a) North East Lincolnshire and (b) North Lincolnshire.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate Education Maintenance Allowances for the DfES and hold the information about take-up of the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.
	Letter from Mark Haysom to Ms McIsaac, dated 7 November 2005
	I am writing in response to your Parliamentary Question that asked how many students aged 16 to 18 years of age are in receipt of educational maintenance allowance in each institution in (a) North East Lincolnshire and (b) North Lincolnshire?
	Educational Maintenance Allowance is available to 1619 years olds in full-time Further Education. The number of young people in receipt of Education Maintenance Allowance in each institution in North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire Local Authority Areas at 25 October was 1,932 and 1,252 respectively. The following table displays this data at institute level.
	
		
			 LA URN  Provider Young people receiving EMA 
		
		
			 North East Lincolnshire 130585 Grimsby College 1,242 
			 North East Lincolnshire 130586 Franklin College 498 
			 North East Lincolnshire 118091 Tollbar Business and Enterprise College 68 
			 North East Lincolnshire 118096 The Lindsey School and Community Arts College 45 
			 North East Lincolnshire 118113 Matthew Humberstone Church of England School 40 
			 North East Lincolnshire 118086 The Immingham School 33 
			 North East Lincolnshire 118143 Humberston Park School 5 
			 North East Lincolnshire 118124 St. James' School 1 
			 North Lincolnshire 130587 North Lindsey College 642 
			 North Lincolnshire 130588 John Leggott Sixth Form College 548 
			 North Lincolnshire 118109 Baysgarth School 37 
			 North Lincolnshire 118100 Vale of Ancholme Technology College 23 
			 North Lincolnshire 117706 Young Mums Unit 2 
		
	
	I hope this information is helpful and addresses your question. If you would like further details please contact Chris Bradley at the LSC National Office on 0114 207 4512 or christopher.bradley@lsc.gov.uk

Extended Schools Programme

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the number of schools in (a) West Yorkshire, (b) Wakefield district and (c) Normanton constituency that will be delivering extended services in (i) 2006, (ii) 2007 and (iii) 2008; and to how many children and parents such provision will be available;
	(2)  how much has been allocated to (a) the local authority and (b) local schools in Wakefield to develop and roll out the extended schools programme in (i) 200506, (ii) 200607, (iii) 200708 and (iv) 200809 financial years.

Beverley Hughes: This Government want all schools to provide access to a core offer of extended services by 2010, with half of all primary and a third of all secondary schools doing so by 2008. We want to see at least 2,500 schools providing access to the core offer by September 2006. The core offer, which should be available to all parents and pupils of the school, comprises: high quality child care; a varied menu of study support activities; parenting support programmes; swift and easy referral to a wide range of specialised support services; and wider community access. It will be for individual local authorities, in discussion with all schools in their area, to take a strategic approach to developing access to the core offer through schools. This will include determining how many primary and secondary schools develop access to the core offer in each year. On 29 September 2005 my Department published its report on the baseline survey of extended services in schools which it commissioned earlier in the year. The survey showed that nationally the vast majority of schools were providing access to some form of extended activity. The survey did not provide figures at local authority level.
	On 13 June 2005 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced funding of 790 million over 200508 to support the development of extended schools. 110 million of this was allocated in 200506 and Wakefield received 815,005. Of the 680 million to be allocated across 200608, 250 million will go direct to schools through the School Standards Grant and the formula for calculating each school's allocation for 200607 will be announced in the near future. The remaining 430 million will be distributed to local authorities through the Standards Fund and the General Sure Start Grant. Of this Wakefield will receive 1,203,051 in 200607 and 1,453,835 in 200708. Funding will be released to schools in accordance with each local authority's extended schools strategy. My Department wrote to each local authority on 13 June 2005 detailing what their extended schools allocation, excluding the School Standards Grant, will be over the period 200508.
	Funding for extended schools beyond 200708 is subject to the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2007 when the Department will be reviewing all its programme budgets.

Information Sharing Protocols

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 821W, on information sharing protocols, which local authorities were 'a bit behind' in (a) March 2004 and (b) July 2004.

Beverley Hughes: The Green Paper 'Every Child Matters', published in September 2003, required local authorities to meet nine minimum requirements in relation to information sharing. These included putting in place information sharing protocols, covering health, education and social care, and to have them in development with other agencies providing services to children and young people, by March 2004. All 150 top-tier local authorities were provided with funding in the financial year 200304 to meet these requirements.
	Independent research carried out by Royal Holloway, University of London reported that 43 authorities were 'a bit behind' in March 2004. Royal Holloway did a further check in July 2004 which indicated only 10 local authorities were still in this category. The authorities are as listed in A and B respectively.
	A more recent assessment of local authorities' progress carried out by our Regional Change Advisers in October 2005 indicates that a further four of these 10 authoritiesLambeth, North East Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Sandwellhave put information sharing protocols in place. Regional Change Advisers will continue to work with the remaining authorities to help them develop effective information sharing arrangements.
	Requirementhave protocols for information sharing in place, covering health, education and social care; and in development for other agencies providing services to children and young people.
	A: Local authorities reported as 'a bit behind' in March 2004
	Barking and Dagenham
	Barnet
	Bexley
	Blackpool
	Brent
	Bromley
	Buckinghamshire
	Bury
	Devon
	Dudley
	Ealing
	Greenwich
	Hammersmith and Fulham
	Harrow
	Havering
	Hertfordshire
	Hounslow
	Isle of Wight
	Kent
	Kirklees
	Lambeth
	Lancashire
	Leeds
	Norfolk
	N.E. Lincolnshire
	North Tyneside
	Northamptonshire
	Northumberland
	Nottingham
	Nottinghamshire
	Oldham
	Peterborough
	Redbridge
	Salford
	Sandwell
	Sefton
	South Tyneside
	Stockport
	Torbay
	Trafford
	Waltham Forest
	Wiltshire
	Windsor and Maidenhead
	B: Local authorities reported as 'a bit behind' in July 2004
	Barnet
	Brent
	Havering
	Hounslow
	Lambeth
	Lancashire
	N.E. Lincolnshire
	Northamptonshire
	Oldham
	Sandwell

Marshall Aid/Scholarships

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the criteria are for a scholarship under the Marshall Aid Commemoration Act 1953; and if she will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	The criteria for awarding Marshall scholarships, as laid down in the Marshall Aid Commemoration Act 1953, are that recipients must be:
	...citizens of the United States of America, who are graduates of recognised institutions of higher learning in the United States of America...
	There are no references to selection in the Act of 1959, but the current administrative regulations do establish further criteria, a copy of them will be placed in the Library of the House.

Post-16 Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much (a) capital and (b) revenue spending has been allocated for the education of 16 to 19-year-olds in (i) school sixth forms, (ii) sixth form colleges and (iii) further education colleges in Warrington in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 9 November 2005
	As the allocation of funding in local areas relates to the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) operational responsibilities. The LSC's chief executive Mark Haysom has written to my hon. Friend with the information requested for sixth form colleges, further education colleges and the revenue information for schools sixth forms since 200203. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library. However, we are not able to provide details of capital spend for schools sixth forms as capital allocations for investment in schools have not separately identified funding for sixth form provision. Decisions on priorities for capital investment in schools have been taken locally in accordance with local asset management plans. The new 1619 Joint Capital Fund will combine schools and post-16 budgets bringing greater coherence to investment decisions on projects requiring investment in new post-16 education and training provision.
	Before the LSC took on the responsibility, in 200203, of funding for sixth-formers in schools, local authorities were provided with allocations for these pupils through the post 16 and Other sub-blocks of the Education Standard Spending Assessment. Further funding for schools with sixth forms has been provided to authorities through grants such as the School Standards Grant and the Standards Fund. However, it is not possible to determine how much of the funding through formula or grants has been directed towards sixth forms since it is for the authority to decide how much funding an individual school receives, and a school to direct appropriate resources towards its sixth form. Any apportionment is likely to be inaccurate.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 30 November 2005
	I write following your Parliamentary Question about capital and revenue funding for 1619 year olds in school sixth forms, sixth form colleges and further education colleges in Warrington since 1997. I thought it might also be helpful to pick up a couple of related points following the evidence that Chris Banks and I gave to the recent Education and Skills Select Committee on 7 November.
	I should begin by explaining that there are a number of limitations on the information that the Learning and Skills Council can provide in response to your question on funding. Firstly, as the LSC was established in April 2001 I cannot provide information prior to April 2001. Those allocations (including for the 200102 academic year) were made by one of the LSC's predecessor agencies, the former Further Education Funding Council (FEFC).
	Secondly, school sixth forms did not come under the LSC's remit until the 200203 academic year; until that time revenue funding was allocated by Warrington's local education authority. Similarly, capital funding for school sixth forms is not currently within the LSC's remit and so we cannot provide those figures.
	Finally, in relation to capital expenditure, the elements of capital spending in colleges that relate specifically to 1619 year olds are difficult to apportion, as most further education college facilities are used by adult learners as well as 1619 year olds. The same is true of sixth form college facilities, although to a lesser extent.
	Therefore, the information I can provide consists of:
	revenue funding for 1619 year olds in the town's further education college (Warrington Collegiate) and sixth form college (Priestley College) from 200203 to 200506
	revenue funding for the borough's seven school sixth forms from 200203 to 200506
	capital grants for the sixth form college and further education college since 2001.
	The details of these allocations are set out below.
	Revenue funding
	The table below gives details of revenue funding allocated by the LSC.
	
		
		
			  School sixth forms Sixth form college FE college 
		
		
			 200102 (33) (34) (34) 
			 200203 4,755,396 3,716,679 3,026,089 
			 200304 5,510,749 4,441,250 3,591,870 
			 200405 5,892,168 4,793,440 4,019,992 
			 200506 5,913,274 5,321,521 4,719,652 
		
	
	(33) Allocations made by LEA
	(34) Allocations made by FEFC
	Note:
	The amount actually paid each year might vary from the allocation by around 23 per cent. depending on how far learner numbers differ from the projections on which allocations were based.
	Capital spending
	Capital projects in sixth form colleges and further education colleges are funded on the same basis. Until 2003 there was an assumption that the LSC would provide approximately 35% of the costs of a project, with the exception of works needed to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which receive a higher level of funding (up to 75%). The balance would be from a variety of sources that might include colleges' cash reserves, the proceeds from the sale of surplus land, private finance or buildings borrowing.
	However, since 2003 LSC capital project funding has been based on affordability; if colleges can use their own cash reserves and borrow to a reasonable level they are now expected to do so before the LSC will agree the level of grant it will pay.
	The table below gives details of the capital grants that have been allocated in Warrington.
	
		
			  LSC grant () Overall project cost () Project summary 
		
		
			 School sixth forms (35) (35) (35) 
			 
			 Priestley College (sixth form college)
			 2005 2,850,000 5,700,000 Construction of new build; refurbishment of existing accommodation; demolition of unsuitable temporary accommodation 
			 2005 750,000 1,032,179 Works needed to comply with Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 
			 2002 595,000 1,700,000 Development of sports facilities to encourage growth and quality improvement of sports courses; extension of catering and recreational space and Learning Services area 
			 2001 38,500 77,001 Works needed to comply with DDA 
			 Total 4,233,500   
			 
			 Warrington Collegiate (FE college)
			 2004 8,100,000 27,000,000 Redevelopment of the Winwick Road campus; demolition of existing buildings; vacation of Padgate Road campus 
			 2003 30,039 40,052 Works needed to comply with DDA 
			 Total 8,130,039   
		
	
	(35) Information not available as capital funding for sixth forms is not within the LSC remit
	I should like to follow up some of the related questions put to Chris Banks and me by your colleagues on the Select Committee last week.
	We discussed the findings of the Learning and Skills Development Agency's research into the funding gap for full-time 1618 year old learners in schools and colleges. The report found that had FE colleges been funded on the same basis as school sixth forms, they would have received an additional 13%.
	However, it did not suggest that simply uplifting college funding rates is the way to level the playing field, as the gap in the actual funding rate is only just over 2%. A large part of the difference is caused by technical issues such as special pensions arrangements for teachers in schools, differences in the way that data (particularly learner number information) is collected and used, and the impact of the Government's 'real terms guarantee' which stated that no school that maintained its student numbers would receive less funding in real terms under the LSC funding formula than under the previous LEA arrangements.
	Today around one in seven schools still benefits from this guarantee by receiving more than they would under the LSC formula.
	As Chris and I said last week, the funding inequity is one of the issues that the LSC's agenda for change programme aims to address. When Sir David Normington and I gave evidence to the Committee of Public Accounts in October, Sir David reiterated the Government's commitment to narrowing the gap, but he noted that any changes must be carefully planned and rolled out so as not to destabilise the school system by simply taking money away from them to give to the colleges. By its very nature this process cannot be a quick one, but with our new funding arrangements we will make progress.
	Finally, I should like to touch briefly on your concerns about funding for adult learning. I know that Liz Davis has written to you to explain the funding issues and I understand that Warrington Collegiate has historically taken a very inclusive approach to fee setting in order to ensure that those who are most in need of learning continue to be able to access it. Colleagues at the local LSC, together with the two colleges and Warrington Borough Council's community services department, met recently to discuss the best way to manage the impact of future changes and developments in adult learning in Warrington.
	Although this group's discussions are at an early stage I have asked Liz to ensure that you are kept informed of progress over the coming weeks.
	If you would like to discuss this or any of the matters in this letter in more detail I know that Liz would be pleased to meet with you at your convenience. Liz can be contacted on 01606 320022.
	I hope that this is helpful.

Sure Start

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the national performance targets are for Sure Start centres; and what the performance of Sure Start centres in Torbay has been against those targets.

Beverley Hughes: The progress of Sure Start local programmes (SSLPs) is measured through the SR02 public service agreement targets. It should be noted that Sure Start local programmes are currently being converted into children's centres. 90 per cent. of SSLPs are expected to have been converted by April 2006 and the remainder by April 2008. They will then operate under the targets set for children's centres.
	Children's Centre Targets
	The Government's overall target for phase l children's centres is for them to reach at least 650,000 children under five by March 2006. Each local authority was given a target number of children under five to reach, plus a target of new child care places to create by March 2006. Torbay has a reach target of 5,575 children under five and child care places target of 172 in phase 1.
	In phase 2, we have set targets for local authorities to develop a minimum number of Sure Start children's centres to reach a minimum number of children by 2008. Torbay has been asked to develop three Sure Start children's centres to reach 2,574 children under five by March 2008. Phase 1 targets are expected to be met by June 2006; phase 2 targets are making good progress.
	Progress against SR02 PSA Targets
	All targets refer to fully operational Sure Start local programmes and cover the period 200306.
	PSA 1Improve the proportion of children aged 05 with normal levels of personal, social and emotional developmentfollowing delays in implementation of the foundation stage profile and concerns over data quality it was not possible to set a baseline or target level. It is therefore not possible to report progress of SSLPs against the SR02 target.
	PSA 2Reduce by 6 per cent. percentage points the proportion of mothers continuing to smoke during pregnancy200305 data shows that the two Torbay SSLPs saw a rise in smoking levels (Paignton56 per cent. to 62 per cent. Torquay30 per cent. to 37 per cent.). Nationally, there was a 1.4 per cent. drop between 2002 and 2004, the national data for 2005 is currently being analysed.
	PSA 3, part (a)Improve proportion of children aged 05 with normal levels of communication, language and literacy at the end of the foundation stagesee PSA 1.
	PSA 3, part (b)Increase the proportion of children aged two with satisfactory speech and language developmentnationally there was a 3 per cent. rise (73 per cent.2003, 76 per cent.2004) as measured through the Sure Start speech and language measure. It is not possible to report on the progress of individual SSLPs for this period.
	PSA 4Reduce by 12 per cent. the proportion of children aged 04 living households where no one is workingthe percentage has risen very slightly between 2003 and 2004 in the Paignton SSLP area (25.7 per cent. to 25.6 per cent.), but has fallen in the Torquay Project SSLP area (29.9 per cent. to 27.3 per cent., a reduction of 8.6 per cent.). Nationally there was a 7.3 per cent. drop in SSLP areas.

Sure Start

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children living in disadvantaged areas of (a) Wakefield district and (b) Normanton constituency are participating in Sure Start local progammes.

Beverley Hughes: There are four Sure Start local programmes in Wakefield reaching a total of 2,953 children under the age of four. Sure Start Wakefield West covers 773 children; Sure Start Ferry Fryston and Airedale covers 651 children; Sure Start Hemsworth, Kinsley and Fitzwilliam covers 610 children and Sure Start Wakefield East involves 919 children under four. All four Sure Start local programmes are part of or are becoming children's centres.
	There are 14 neighbourhood nurseries in Wakefield providing 596 full day care places. Seven of these nurseries are involved in phase one children's centres. Wakefield has one early excellence centre which forms part of Castle children's centre. The centre is also based on the Sure Start Wakefield East local programme and a neighbourhood nursery. The centre was designated in April 2005.
	Wakefield has 13 children's centres planning to reach a total of 7,886 children under the age of five: 10 of the centres have received approval to proceed from the Sure Start unit and three centres have been designated by the unit.
	There is one children's centre in Normanton. Newlands children's centre is based on a primary school and serves 570 children under five. There are also two neighbourhood nurseries based within the constituency, offering a total of 88 full-day care places. There are no Sure Start local programmes in Normanton.

Young People (Statistics)

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number and proportion of (a) 16, (b) 17 and (c) 18-year-olds not in full-time education or training, broken down by local education authority area.

Phil Hope: Estimates of the number and percentage of young people aged (a) 16 and (b) 17 who were not in full-time education or work-based learning (e.g. apprenticeships) in local authorities in England are given in the table. Figures for 18-year-olds are not available at a local level.
	These estimates are provisional and are snapshot information as at the end of the calendar year 2003. They are derived from the Department's Statistical First Release (SFR 11/2005) entitled, 'Participation in Education and Training by 16 and 17 year olds in Each Local Area in England: 2002 and 2003'.
	
		Number and percentage of 16 and 17-year-olds not in full-time education or work based learning by local authorities in England, 2003 provisional
		
			  16-year-olds 17-year-olds 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage 
			 East Midlands 13,000 23 18,000 33 
		
		
			 Derbyshire 3,100 25 4,100 34 
			 Derbyshire 2,300 24 3,000 33 
			 Derby 900 28 1,200 38 
			  
			 Leicestershire 2,300 19 3,500 28 
			 Leicester 700 17 1,200 29 
			 Leicestershire 1,600 20 2,100 28 
			 Rutland 100 12 200 23 
			  
			 Lincolnshire 2,100 24 2,800 35 
			 Northamptonshire 2,000 23 3,000 35 
			  
			 Nottinghamshire 3,600 26 4,500 35 
			 Nottingham 1,000 27 1,200 36 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,600 26 3,300 35 
			  
			 West Midlands 16,300 22 23,900 34 
			 Birmingham 4,200 28 5,300 37 
			 Coventry 900 22 1,400 34 
			 Dudley 1,100 27 1,300 34 
			  
			 Hereford and Worcester 1,600 17 2,700 29 
			 Herefordshire 400 20 800 34 
			 Worcestershire 1,200 16 1,900 28 
			  
			 Sandwell 1,000 26 1,500 38 
			  
			 Shropshire 1,200 20 2,000 32 
			 Shropshire 600 17 1,200 31 
			 Telford and Wrekin 600 26 800 36 
			  
			 Solihull 700 24 900 32 
			 Staffordshire 2,900 21 4,600 34 
			 Staffordshire 2,100 20 3,300 31 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 800 25 1,300 43 
			  
			 Walsall 800 23 1,300 37 
			 Warwickshire 1,200 18 1,900 29 
			 Wolverhampton 700 20 1,000 32 
			  
			 East of England 14,200 21 21,200 31 
			 Bedfordshire 1,500 19 2,400 31 
			 Bedfordshire 800 16 1,500 30 
			 Luton 700 25 900 33 
			  
			 Cambridgeshire 2,000 22 2,900 32 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,400 20 2,100 30 
			 Peterborough 600 27 800 38 
			  
			 Essex 4,700 23 7,000 35 
			 Essex 3,600 22 5,400 33 
			 Southend-on-Sea 500 25 700 34 
			 Thurrock 500 28 900 49 
			  
			 Hertfordshire 1,800 13 2,900 22 
			 Norfolk 2,300 24 3,500 37 
			 Suffolk 1,900 22 2,600 31 
			  
			 Greater London 16,200 18 24,300 28 
			 Inner London(36) 6,900 22 9,100 29 
			  
			 Outer London 9,300 16 15,200 27 
			 Barking and Dagenham 500 23 1,000 45 
			 Barnet 700 19 900 23 
			 Bexley 500 19 1,000 34 
			 Brent 500 14 800 23 
			 Bromley 700 20 900 26 
			 Croydon 800 17 1,100 24 
			 Ealing 600 16 1,200 30 
			 Enfield 500 13 900 26 
			 Greenwich 70 23 1,000 34 
			 Harrow 300 11 500 18 
			 Havering 500 17 1,000 34 
			 Hillingdon 600 18 800 27 
			 Hounslow 600 22 900 33 
			 Kingston upon Thames 200 14 400 23 
			 Merton 300 16 600 29 
			 Redbridge 300 10 700 23 
			 Richmond upon Thames 200 9 300 18 
			 Sutton 400 17 600 29 
			 Waltham Forest 300 12 700 24 
			  
			 North East 6,900 20 11,500 33 
			 Cleveland 1,600 19 2,700 33 
			 Hartlepool 300 19 500 34 
			 Middlesbrough 400 19 800 35 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 500 24 600 32 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 400 15 900 32 
			  
			 Durham 1,600 22 2,600 34 
			 Darlington 300 22 400 33 
			 Durham 1,300 21 2,100 34 
			  
			 Gateshead 600 22 900 35 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 600 18 1,000 31 
			 North Tyneside 400 18 800 33 
			 Northumberland 800 21 1,200 31 
			 South Tyneside 400 20 700 33 
			 Sunderland 800 20 1,500 37 
			  
			 North West 20,000 21 29,600 32 
			 Bolton 700 20 1,200 31 
			 Bury 500 21 800 31 
			  
			 Cheshire 2,600 20 3,600 28 
			 Cheshire 1,700 20 2,300 27 
			 Halton 300 18 500 29 
			 Warrington 600 23 800 31 
			 Cumbria 1,100 17 1,600 27 
			 Knowsley 500 20 900 40 
			  
			 Lancashire 4,500 23 6,500 33 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 400 17 600 28 
			 Blackpool 400 22 700 40 
			 Lancashire 3,700 24 5,100 33 
			  
			 Liverpool 1,300 21 2,300 36 
			 Manchester 1,300 22 1,800 31 
			 Oldham 800 25 1,100 34 
			 Rochdale 900 29 1,100 37 
			 St. Helens 600 24 700 31 
			 Salford 700 26 1,300 44 
			 Sefton 700 18 1,000 26 
			 Stockport 800 21 1,100 29 
			 Tameside 700 24 1,100 38 
			 Trafford 600 20 900 30 
			 Wigan 1,000 24 1,400 35 
			 Wirral 700 16 1,300 30 
			  
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 20,000 24 23,500 35 
			 Barnsley 900 30 1,200 42 
			 Bradford 1,700 24 2,400 35 
			 Calderdale 600 23 800 33 
			 Doncaster 1,200 28 1,600 40 
			  
			 Humberside 2,400 20 3,600 30 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 700 17 800 21 
			 Kingston Upon Hull, City of 800 21 1,300 37 
			 North East Lincolnshire 600 26 800 35 
			 North Lincolnshire 300 17 600 30 
			  
			 Kirklees 1,400 26 1,800 35 
			 Leeds 3,100 32 3,700 39 
			  
			 North Yorkshire 1,600 16 3,300 33 
			 North Yorkshire 1,200 15 2,700 34 
			 York 400 17 600 28 
			  
			 Rotherham 800 25 1,300 40 
			 Sheffield 1,400 23 1,900 33 
			 Wakefield 1,200 28 1,700 39 
			  
			  
			 South East 19,499 19 30,300 30 
			 Berkshire 1,900 18 2,500 23 
			 Bracknell Forest 400 23 500 31 
			 Reading 300 17 500 32 
			 Slough 300 21 600 34 
			 West Berkshire 400 19 600 28 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 300 15 400 22 
			 Wokingham 200 11   
			  
			 Buckinghamshire 1,800 20 2,800 31 
			 Buckinghamshire 1,200 20 1,700 27 
			 Milton Keynes 600 20 1,200 38 
			  
			 East Sussex 1,700 19 2,800 32 
			 Brighton and Hove 400 16 800 31 
			 East Sussex 1,200 20 2,000 33 
			  
			 Hampshire 4,200 20 6,700 32 
			 Hampshire 3,000 19 5,000 30 
			 Portsmouth 500 22 800 35 
			 Southampton 700 27 900 39 
			  
			 Isle of Wight 400 21 600 34 
			  
			 Kent 4,400 21 6,600 32 
			 Kent 3,500 20 5,300 31 
			 Medway 900 25 1,300 38 
			  
			 Oxfordshire 1,300 18 2,100 28 
			 Surrey 2,000 15 3,600 27 
			 West Sussex 1,800 19 2,600 30 
			 South West 12,000 19 17,700 29 
			 Avon 2,500 20 3,800 31 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 300 14 500 23 
			 Bristol, City of 1,000 20 1,600 33 
			 North Somerset 500 22 700 29 
			 South Gloucestershire 700 24 1,000 34 
			  
			 Cornwall 1,100 17 1,800 28 
			  
			 Devon 2,700 20 4,000 30 
			 Devon 1,700 19 2,400 28 
			 Plymouth 600 19 1,00 33 
			 Torbay 400 26 500 34 
			  
			 Dorset 1,800 21 2,100 25 
			 Bournemouth 400 23 500 31 
			 Dorset 1,000 20 1,100 21 
			 Poole 400 23 500 28 
			  
			 Gloucestershire 1,300 17 2,100 29 
			 Somerset 1,200 17 1,800 27 
			 Wiltshire 1,400 17 2,200 29 
			 Swindon 400 18 700 32 
			 Wiltshire 900 17 1,500 28 
			  
			 England(37) 134,300 21 200,000 31 
		
	
	(36) Figures for individual Inner London LEAs cannot be estimated reliably, therefore only a total is provided. See paragraphs 19 of the SFR for further information.
	(37) Definitive national figures for participation in education and training are published in the SFR entitled Participation in education, training and employment by 16 to 18-year-olds in England, see section E in Notes to Editors.
	Note:
	Due to the margin of error surrounding local level participation estimates and the use of school level data for independent schools, participation rates can be over 100 per cent. For these areas, an asterisk is placed in the table.

Pre-school Education

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations she has received about the funding of three-year-old children for 33 weeks of pre-school education; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Secretary of State does receive, from time to time, representation from a range of stakeholders, including local authorities, early years providers and national associations about funding for the free entitlement for early education for three and four-year-olds. From April 2006, the minimum entitlement will be increased from 33 weeks to 38 weeks a year.
	All local authorities receive, through the under-fives sub-block of the education formula spending share (EFSS), sufficient funding to enable them to meet their statutory responsibilities to provide a free early education place for all three and four-year-olds. Local authorities are responsible for determining the specific level of funding to providers in their area taking account of local needs and circumstances.

Special Educational Needs

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the Academies Special Educational Needs Dispute Resolution Service.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 29 November 2005
	Academies are fully inclusive schools and are required by law to cater for children of all abilities. They cannot cherry pick their intake, but must have regard to the SEN code of practice and statutory guidance on inclusion. An Academies independent status, does not affect parents rights to appeal to the SEN and Disability Tribunal.
	The Department launched an independent, free and entirely voluntary SEN Dispute Resolution Service for Academies in January 2005. The service was made available to support good and timely local decision making with regards the admission of pupils with SEN to Academies. The service has been well used by Academies and well received by both Academies and local authorities.
	On average Academies admit more pupils with SEN (both with and without statements) than other schools in England. They also, on average, admit more SEN pupils (both with and without statements) than their predecessor schools.

TRANSPORT

Airports (Security Costs)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list airports that (a) pay for and (b) do not contribute towards their security and policing costs; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick are designated airports under section 25 of the Aviation Security Act 1982 and as such the aerodrome manager must pay such policing costs as he and the relevant police authority may agree. Non-designated airports are not obliged to contribute in the same way. All UK airports contribute to the costs of security.
	The Secretary of State made a statement on 21 November announcing a review of policing at airports.

Departmental Staff

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) consultants and (b) special advisers were employed by his Department in each year since 1997; what the cost of each was in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport only came into existence on 29 May 2002. The number of consultants employed by the Department in the years since 29 May 2002 is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	In relation to special advisers, I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office on 16 November 2005, Official Report, column 1257W.

Arriva Buses

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints about Arriva Buses have been received by the Traffic Commissioners in (a) England, (b) the North East Government Office and (c) the boroughs of the Tees Valley sub-region in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: Complaints about Arriva Buses received by the Traffic Commissioners, for the years that records are available, are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 NETA 26 20 26 24 26 24 
			 Tees Valley 0 5 7 1 12 1 
			 England 46 53 46 62 41 42 
			 Total 72 78 79 87 79 67

Arriva Buses

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints against Arriva Buses made to the Traffic Commissioners have resulted in that company being forced to amend operating practices in (a) England, (b) the North East Government Office area and (c) the boroughs of the Tees Valley sub-region in each of the last 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: It is not possible to determine the number of complaints against Arriva Buses that have resulted in Arriva Being forced to amend its operating practices.
	Arriva has been directed to amend its practices on the number of occasions shown in the following table:
	
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 NETA 0 0 0 3 0 1 
			 Tees Valley 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 England 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 0 0 0 3 0 1 
		
	
	Such action will only be taken when a series of complaints has been made, where the operator has failed to address problems, rather than as a result of a single complaint.

Arriva Buses

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how much revenue was obtained by Arriva Buses from local authorities and passenger transport executives in each year in respect of concessionary fares in (a) England, (b) the North East Government Office Region and (c) the boroughs of the Tees Valley sub-region since 1995;
	(2)  how much revenue was obtained by Arriva Buses for running subsidised services on behalf of local authorities and passenger transport executives in (a) England, (b) the North East Government Office area and (c) the boroughs of the Tees Valley sub-region in each year since 1995.

Karen Buck: It is not possible to answer this question from the information available to the Department. Such information as we do have from Arriva Buses on its revenue from subsidised bus contracts and concessionary fares reimbursement has been supplied for aggregate statistical purposes and is commercially restricted under the terms of the Statistics of Trade Act 1947.

Concessionary Travel (South Gloucestershire)

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 284W, on concessionary travel (South Gloucestershire), what he estimates to be the current cost to each local authority of the existing half-fare scheme.

Karen Buck: The cost of concessionary fare reimbursement to bus operators is reported to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by each local authority. Aggregate data is published in the DfT's 'Public Transport Statistics Bulletin GB: 2005 Edition Supplement' copies of which are placed in the Libraries of the House.
	A table showing estimates of total spending on all concessionary bus travel reimbursement in 200405 by individual authority including discretionary spending on enhanced schemes, for example, providing cross-border travel or county-wide schemes, entitlement to travel in peak hours and concessionary travel for children has been placed in the Libraries of the House. It is not possible to disaggregate the cost of providing a statutory half-fare scheme for older and disabled people.

Departmental Staff

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Transport how often on average civil servantsmoved posts within his Department in the last 10 years.

Karen Buck: The average length of time in each post for civil servants since the Department was created in 2002 was 2.95 years for staff in the centre and 2.27 years for staff in the Driving Standards Agency. The data for the other Executive Agencies is not available.

Driver Licences Directive

David Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the cost to the consumer of gaining an unlimited access motorcycle licence under the proposed Third European Directive on Driver Licences; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the Third European Directive on Driver Licences on motorcycle manufacturers in the UK; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the likely impact on casualty numbers of the second motorcycle riding test proposed in the Third European Directive on Driving Licences.

Stephen Ladyman: The proposed Third European Community Directive on driving licences remains under negotiation in the Council of Ministers.
	The Government's assessment of the potential impact of the original Commission proposals was provided to the Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees. We concluded that the proposals for motorcycles bore no clear relationship to the road safety problems of which we have evidence in the UK. An update to the impact assessment was provided to the Committees on 23 December 2004, and a further substantive letter on 13 June 2005.
	In its present form, the draft Directive may impose additional testing or training costs on motorcyclists under the age of 24 who wish to ride larger machines, but such costs cannot be quantified at this stage. The amount would depend on the final form of any Directive adopted, and on subsequent decisions by the Government about how to implement the Directive in the United Kingdom. For the same reasons, the Government cannot at this stage quantify any potential effects of the Directive on UK motorcycle manufacturers or on casualty numbers.
	If the proposed Directive is adopted, the Government will consult widely about how to implement it in a way that minimises potential adverse effects.

DVLA

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) targets the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has for responding to complaints; and (b) how many complaints received by (i) telephone, (ii) letter and (iii) electronic mail the DVLA responded to within those target times in each year since 1997, broken down by type of complaint.

Stephen Ladyman: DVLA has two internal targets for responding to complaints. These are:
	to acknowledge all complaints within one working day; and
	to provide a substantive response to all complaints within 10 working days.
	Information on how the complaints were received is not available.
	The following table shows how many complaints were received and how the Agency performed against each target in the years requested.
	
		Complaints received
		
			 Category 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Drivers (including drivers medical) 250 384 908 597 553 684 1,028 812 
			 Vehicles 913 1,173 1,101 983 2,115 1,747 2,357 2,560 
			 Telephone service 198 134 157 137 142 122 119 111 
			 Processing procedures 5 6 18 322 212 236 331 614 
			 Other 102 119 195 398 570 600 741 680 
			 Total 1,468 1,816 2,379 2,437 3,592 3,389 4,576 4,777 
		
	
	
		Numbers and percentage responded within target (totals only available)
		
			 Target 1 Target 2 
			 Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1,458 99.3 1,449 98.7 
			 1,816 100 1,765 97.2 
			 2,379 100 2,303 96.8 
			 2,437 100 2,240 91.9 
			 3,592 100 3,467 96.5 
			 3,389 100 3,295 97.2 
			 4,576 100 4,458 97.4 
			 4,777 100 4,663 97.6

Festivals

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department took to celebrate and promote the events of (a) Ramadan, (b) Diwali and (c) Chinese New Year in 2005.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport and the Executive agencies promote religious dates and cultural events through the publication of an informative annual religious calendar which is accessible to all employees. In addition to advertising and promoting specific dates, it also provides information about particular religions and festivals.
	In addition to this, policy and guidance has been published regarding religious and cultural leave and the availability of prayer and reflection rooms.
	Many activities have also been organised across the Department. For example; DfT(C) held a Celebration of Culture Event on Friday 11 November for staff to celebrate Diwali and Eid; DVLA's Diversity Team supported the Swansea Chinese Association this year by attending their event to celebrate the Chinese New Year. The Highways Agency took part in the 2004 Diwali event at the NEC in Birmingham and in October 2005 attended the Asian Mela also held at the NEC.

Freedom of Information

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Freedom of Information applications his Department has received; how many have taken more than 20 days to process; and how many of these gave rise to complaints about the time taken.

Karen Buck: The FOI Act 2000 came fully into effect on 1 January 2005. Prior to 2005, the Department (as with all Government Departments) was operating under the non-statutory code of practice on access to government information and there is no centrally held record of those cases.
	Between 1 January and 30 June 2005, DfT (including its Executive agencies) received 893 FOI requests.
	738 (83 per cent.) of these were answered within the 20 day deadline. A further 49 (5 per cent.) were answered within a permitted extension to the 20 day deadline to consider complex public interest tests. Where such an extension is made, officials are instructed to keep applicants informed as to the likely time within which a reply can be expected.
	In summary, the total number of cases answered after the 20 day deadline was therefore 155, of which 106 had not been subject to a formal extension of the deadline to consider a public interest test.
	A total of three complaints have been received in respect of requests during the period about the time taken to respond.
	The Department for Constitutional Affairs is committed to publishing quarterly updates in relation to departmental performance under FOI, including information on both the volume and outcomes of requests. The bulletin for the second quarter (ie April to June 2005) was published on 30 September 2005 and can be found on the DCA website at http://www.foi.gov.uk/ statsapr-jun05.htm and in the Libraries of both Houses. The next bulletin will be published before Christmas, while an annual report will be published in early 2006.

Heavy Goods Vehicles (Restrictions)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has made an assessment of the effectiveness of the restriction on heavy goods vehicles using the outside lane on parts of the M42/A42; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: At present it is too early to assess the effectiveness of the trial over a three mile section of the northbound carriageway of the M42 between junctions 10 and 11. The restriction was introduced on 10 October for an experimental period of up to 18 months. The Highways Agency is monitoring the performance of the restriction to assess what benefits have resulted. Additionally the Agency is inviting comments from all road users to gauge their reaction.

Heavy Goods Vehicles (Restrictions)

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce a restriction on heavy goods vehicles using the outside lane on the two-lane stretches of the M18 motorway.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency is currently trialling the restriction of heavy goods vehicles using the outside lane on the M42. The trial is at an early stage and no decisions have been taken on whether or not to introduce such a restriction elsewhere on the motorway network.

IT Projects

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many IT projects which cost over 1 million and were introduced since 1997 are in use in his Department.

Karen Buck: 64 IT projects which cost over 1 million have been introduced since 29 May 2002 and are in use in the Department for Transport and its agencies.

IT Projects

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many of the IT projects costing over 1 million in use in his Department and introduced since 1997 have been scrutinised by the Public Accounts Committee; and if he will list them.

Karen Buck: No IT projects costing over 1 million in use in this Department have been scrutinised by the Public Accounts Committee since the formation of the Department on 29 May 2002.

London Buses

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the average number of passengers per mile travelled by London buses in 19992000.

Karen Buck: Buses in London are the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). However, they have informed me that the total number of miles operated by buses in 19992000 was 220,136,730. During this period 1,296,000,000 passenger journeys were made. Therefore 5.88 journeys were made per mile operated.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the extent to which the construction of Olympic transport projects and Crossrail will affect each other.

Karen Buck: The project teams from both the Crossrail and Olympic projects are liaising closely with each other to ensure that the programmes of construction are properly co-ordinated. We therefore expect the impact of each programme on the other to be minimal.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what precautions will be taken to ensure that dust and pollution from Crossrail construction will not adversely affect air quality at the time of the 2012 Olympics.

Karen Buck: In consultation with local authorities and other stakeholders, we are developing a range of mechanisms to ensure the construction impacts of Crossrail are suitably controlled. This includes a Construction Code that details how Crossrail construction activities will be carried out including measures for the control of dust and other air pollutants. Any nominated undertaker appointed to construct Crossrail will be required to comply with the Construction Code.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the measures taken to explain to the public the relationship between the availability of funding for transport for the 2012 Olympics and the availability of funding for regional transport schemes and projects.

Karen Buck: We have always been clear that the transport plans published as part of the Olympic bid were based on making the best use of the existing network and improvements which were planned to have taken place before 2012 regardless of the Olympics. These planned improvements include schemes such as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, East London Line Extension and extensions to the Docklands Light Railway, all funded by the relevant body regardless of the Olympic decision.
	As has been made clear throughout the development of the bid, additional schemes needed specifically for the Olympics will be funded from the Public Sector Funding Package of 2.375 billion. This is made up of funding from the lottery and contributions from London council tax and the London Development Agency.
	We therefore would not expect the Olympics to affect the availability of funding for other transport schemes. We have consistently made it clear that, in taking funding decisions in connection with the Olympics or wider transport development, our objective will always be to secure the very best value for money.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether the capacity on the Docklands Light Railway will be sufficient to meet planning needs for the 2012 Olympics.

Karen Buck: We believe that the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) will have sufficient capacity to meet the needs of the 2012 Olympics. Planned works on the Docklands Light Railway, due for completion before 2012, include the extension to London City airport, the extension to Woolwich and capacity enhancements on stations between Bank and Lewisham. The Secretary of State is also currently considering proposals to convert the North London Line to DLR.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the total amount is to be spent on transport schemes connected to the 2012 Olympics.

Karen Buck: The transport plans for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games were set out in the Bid documents submitted to the International Olympic Committee in November 2004. This identified some 7.2 billion for transport projects connected with the Games. This includes planned schemes, such as Phase 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, which would have taken place regardless of the Olympics, as well as a number of schemes which are funded through Olympic budgets.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether adequate planning has been made to ensure that transport for the 2012 Olympics will be fully sustainable.

Karen Buck: London 2012 will be a sustainable Gameswith this in mind, the Olympic Transport Plan will encourage 100 per cent. spectator use of public transport, walking and cycling. The successful Olympic bid was founded on existing and planned transport infrastructure in 2012, minimising the need for additional Olympic specific schemes and services. Wherever possible, vehicles producing low (or no) emissions will be used for both spectator and Olympic family transport.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what park and ride schemes have been planned in connection with the 2012 Olympics.

Karen Buck: The bid documents proposed two major park-and-ride schemes bus, situated off the M25. The main Northern site would be near the M11 and M25 junction and would have over 6,000 parking spaces. The Southern site, near Dartford river crossing, would also provide 6,000 parking spaces. These sites would be 20 to 25 minutes ride from the venues.
	9,000 park-and-ride rail spaces will be available at Ebbsfleet station, which will link spectators to the Olympic Javelin service, providing access to the Olympic Park in 10 minutes. 10,000 park-and-ride bus spaces will be made available at Windsor Racecourse, a 10-minute ride from Eton Dorney, the Olympic rowing and canoeing venue. Wimbledon and other established sporting venues will make use of existing, established schemes.
	Since the Games were awarded to London in July, we have taken the opportunity to step back and look again at these schemes and whether alternatives may offer even better value for money.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of whether the transport arrangement for the 2012 Olympic Games will be efficient without the completion of the Thameslink box development;
	(2)  whether the Thameslink box was a scheme included in the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the effect on passengers using transport services at the 2012 OlympicGames of the non-completion of the Thameslink box.

Karen Buck: The transport schemes needed for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games were set out in the Bid documents submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in November 2004. In addition, in February 2005 the Department announced that, following a review, the King's Cross Northern Ticket Hall and Western Concourse would be completed in time for the 2012 Games. This will improve the passenger interchange with the Olympic. Javelin Service operating out of St. Pancras.
	The Thameslink Box was not included in the Olympic Bid documents or in any subsequent commitments to the IOC. Modelling produced in the development of the Bid has shown that adequate facilities will be in place at King's Cross and St. Pancras to cope with Olympic spectators. However, the Department is investigating the feasibility of an earlier fit out of the box in line with the completion of the CTRL Project and the transfer of Eurostar services to St. Pancras.

London Olympics

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the need for (a) a travelator and (b) another mechanised link between Stratford Regional Station and Stratford International Station for the 2012 Olympics.

Karen Buck: The proposed travelator is not part of the Olympic Transport Plan. Subject to the approval of applications which are currently before the Secretary of State, from 2010 the DLR will provide direct access to the wider transport network from both stations and to all Olympic venues.
	In particular, during the Paralympic Games when spectators hold day tickets, the DLR will facilitate efficient spectator transfer from the Olympic Park to the River Zone cluster of competition venues.

Motor Vehicle Accidents (Private Land)

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for reducing deaths from motor vehicle accidents on private land.

Stephen Ladyman: We are aware that the use of motor vehicles on private land causes nuisance from time to time. However, we are not aware that there is a significant number of deaths involving motor vehicles on private land. The road accident statistics we collect are for on road use of motor vehicles. We do not collect data on accidents that occur on private land. There are sufficient powers to regulate the use of motor vehicles off road. It is for the police to enforce them.

National Minimum Wage

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many employees in his Department were affected by the rise in the national minimum wage on 1 October.

Karen Buck: The rise to the National Minimum Wage on 1 October did not affect any of the Department's employees.

Northern Rail Services Review

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Review of Northern Rail Services has been completed.

Derek Twigg: The Review of Northern Rail services is still in progress, and I expect to receive recommendations early in 2006.

Parliamentary Questions

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will reply substantively to the questions tabled by the hon. Member for Liverpool, Riverside for answer on 8 November, reference (a) 26246 and (b) 26249.

Derek Twigg: I have replied to both of my hon. Friend's questions. Ref 26246 was answered on 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2218W and ref 26249 was answered 29 November 2005.

Pedicabs

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with Transport for London about the safety of pedicabs.

Karen Buck: I discussed the question of regulation of pedicabs, including with respect to safety, with representatives of Transport for London on 4 October. The Department is very willing to hold further meetings with interested parties but of course Transport for London are in the lead on the introduction of a licensing regime.

Rail Infrastructure

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what extra security measures have been taken along the (a) Hastings to London Victoria, (b) Hastings to Charing Cross and (c) Brighton to London Victoria train lines since the 7 July terrorist attacks in London.

Derek Twigg: Following the attacks on 7 July the threat to the whole UK rail network was re-assessed, resulting in additional security requirements. It would be inappropriate to go into detail for obvious security reasons but the situation is kept under review to ensure that these measures are commensurate with the risk.

Railways

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on the National Train Passenger Survey in each year from 199798 to 200405; and what funding is planned for future financial years.

Derek Twigg: The National Passenger Survey was set up in 1999. The following table outlines how much has been spent on the survey in each financial year since then, inclusive of VAT.
	
		
			  Cost 
		
		
			 19992000 251 ,475 
			 200001 466,768 
			 200102 507,515 
			 200203 582,840 
			 200304 642,396 
			 200405 681,192 
		
	
	The contract for the National Passenger Survey is open to competition. It would therefore be inappropriate to make future funding figures available to potential bidders.

Railways

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans Network Rail has to increase funding for rail infrastructure along the Bexhill to London Victoria line.

Derek Twigg: This is an operational matter for Network Rail, who will be responding directly to the hon. Member.

Road Accidents

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) fatal and (b) serious road accidents there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and how many in each year involved (i) drunk driving, (ii) a stolen vehicle, (iii) a driver without a valid driving licence, (iv) a foreign national driver and (v) a combination of these factors.

Stephen Ladyman: The estimates for the number of fatal and serious accidents involving illegal alcohol levels for 200004 are in the table. The total number of fatal and serious accidents in GB for 200004 is also given in the table.
	
		
			  Drink drive All road accidents 
			  Fatal Serious Fatal Serious 
		
		
			 2000 450 1,950 3,108 32,499 
			 2001 470 2,020 3,176 31,588 
			 2002 480 2,050 3,124 30,521 
			 2003 500 1,970 3,247 28,913 
			 2004 (38)530 (38)1,790 2,978 26,748 
		
	
	(38) Provisional data. The sample of fatality data from coroners for 2003 has now been finalised but 2004 estimates are based on a reduced sample of coroners' returns and may be biased. They remain provisional until more complete information for 2004 is available.
	The number of fatal accidents where a driver or rider had an illegal alcohol level is estimated from coroners' and procurators' fiscal data which become available a year later than the main road accident data. As a result, the estimates for 2004 are provisional.
	Information on stolen vehicles involved in personal injury road accidents is not currently available. However, from 2005, the reporting police officer may note where the fact that a vehicle was stolen, or being driven in the course of a crime influenced the driver or rider's behaviour and contributed to the accident. This will not be available for accidents reported to the police at the police station. Information on drivers without a valid driving licence involved in personal injury road accidents is not collected because of the inability in linking accident data with prosecution data.

Road Traffic (London)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many traffic lights there were in London in (a) 19992000 and (b) 200405.

Karen Buck: Traffic signals in London are the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL). Before 3 July 2000, traffic signals in London were the responsibility of the Traffic Control Systems Unit, a body which was subsumed into TfL, and the London boroughs.
	The total number of Traffic Signal sites 1 in Greater London was (a) , on 31 March 2000, 4,236 and (b) , on 31 March 2005, 4,978.
	For further information please contact:
	Mark Beasley
	Chief Engineer Performance and Maintenance
	Directorate of Traffic Operations, Surface Transport
	Transport for London
	Windsor House
	4250 Victoria Street
	London SW1H OTL
	1 A traffic Signal site is defined as a separate junction or pedestrian crossing

Walking

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department has taken to develop a strategy to promote walking since publication of the discussion paper 'On the move: by foot'.

Derek Twigg: In response to the discussion paper 'On the move: by foot', the Department published 'Walking and cycling: an action plan' on 16 June 2004, which outlines the Government's walking (and cycling) strategy for the next five years. There are a number of actions which are being taken forward in conjunction with interested walking groups. Progress reports of the action plan are regularly published on the walking home page of the Department's website following quarterly meetings with walking stakeholders. A copy of the Action Plan is available in the House Library.

Yellow Bus Schemes

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the cost of providing a yellow bus scheme (a) in England and (b) for each region.

Karen Buck: We have not made any estimate of the cost of providing a yellow bus scheme (a) in England and (b) for each region. We know from our evaluation of various small-scale yellow and other dedicated school bus schemes that well-designed schemes have the potential to reduce car dependency for journeys to school and the traffic congestion that results from this. However, care needs to be taken to ensure that they are appropriate to local circumstances and do not reduce levels of walking or cycling or undermine the viability of important bus services available to the wider public.
	We therefore want to encourage individual local authorities to consider school bus schemes as part of broader local transport planning and to decide whether or not they would be appropriate to their area.
	We are currently funding the MyBus school bus scheme in West Yorkshire. The 18.7 million we are providing over three years is expected to fund the capital cost of 150 dedicated buses.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Energy Consumption

Martin Horwood: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what assessment he has made of the average energy consumption of the House of Commons between midnight and 6.30 am; how much of that figure is accounted for by (a) lights, (b) computers, (c) heating, (d) televisions and annunciators and (e) photocopiers; if he will estimate the energy consumed for each category in terms of (i) watts and (ii)metric tonnes of carbon emitted; and what the cost was of each category.

Nick Harvey: Electricity is purchased on a day/night tariff with the night period metered from midnight to 7am. The average electricity consumption by the House of Commons estate during the night period in 200405 was 11,650 kWh, costing on average 600 per night. The metric tonnes equivalent of carbon emissions due to this electricity consumption was 1.363 tonnes. There is no breakdown available of the electricity consumption between lights, computers, annunciators and photocopiers.
	Heating is provided by natural gas and the night period is not separately metered. Assuming that 10 per cent. of natural gas consumption occurred during the midnight to 7 am night period, the average gas consumption by the House of Commons during the night period in 200405 was 5,090 kWh at a cost of 75.00. The metric tonnes equivalent of carbon emissions due to this natural gas consumption was 0.26 tonnes.

Light Bulbs

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the honourable Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what percentage of the light bulbs used on the House's estate are energy-efficient light bulbs.

Nick Harvey: 95 per cent. of fluorescent tubes and 70 per cent. of lamps on the parliamentary estate are energy efficient.

Parliamentary Communications Directorate

Martin Horwood: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of the Parliamentary Communications Directorate; and whether the Parliamentary Communications Directorate follows communications and customer service best practice.

Nick Harvey: The Parliamentary Communications Directorate (PCD) has been subject to external review in the past and is subject to regular audit. There will be a review of the effectiveness of the new Parliamentary Information and Communication Technology Department (PICT), of which PCD will be part, once it has been established on 1 January 2006 and has been operational for a suitable period of time.
	PCD aims to provide good quality communications and customer service. PCD, together with the rest of the House of Commons, has achieved Investors in People (IiP) accreditation and more recently was accredited by the Helpdesk Institute (HDI). PCD is also pursuing service management excellence through the adoption of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework, a government backed framework for organising and managing IT services which is being widely adopted by the private and public sectors both at home and abroad. Customer service training is provided to all customer-facing staff, with plans for this to be updated and re-run in the near future.

Security Barriers

Martin Linton: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission if he will place in the Library the risk assessment conducted prior to the erection of permanent security barriers outside the Palace of Westminster; and if he will make a statement on their effect on road safety, with particular reference to cyclists.

Nick Harvey: The installation of the security barriers followed full consultation with Westminster city council and Transport for London, who are responsible for road safety for all road users, including cyclists. It is not the Commission's practice to publish papers relating to the security of the Palace.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Antisocial Behaviour

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures the Department plans to put in place as part of the Government's plans to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Richard Caborn: My Department and its sectors are helping to address antisocial behaviour through involvement in a range of programmes that encourage participation by target groups in positive activities, including sport and the arts. These include the Positive Activities for Young People programme, Sport Action Zones and the Plus Strategy.
	In addition, we anticipate that the Licensing Act 2003, which took effect on 24 November, will have an important role in the prevention of crime and disorder and public nuisance through encouraging a more orderly dispersal of customers bringing in new powers for tackling problem premises.

Casinos

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions officials in her Department have had with the Anschutz Entertainment Group regarding plans for a casino at the site of the Millennium Dome.

Richard Caborn: Ministers and officials have had a number of meetings with casino operators interested in securing licences for new casinos under the Gambling Act 2005. These include meetings with representatives of the Anschutz Entertainment Group and Kerzner International, its partner in the development of the Millennium Dome site. At no stage have representatives of these or any other companies received anything other than publicly available information.

Casinos

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received since the general election on increasing the number of regional casino licences.

Richard Caborn: We have received a number of letters from local authorities and others in support of an increase in the number of regional casinos permitted by the Gambling Act 2005.
	Despite these representations, we do not believe the case has been made for an increase, and we are therefore proceeding with implementation on the basis of the one regional casino specified in the Act.

Casinos

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what provisions and regulations govern the size of the non-gambling space in casinos licensed under the Gambling Act 2005; and whether alcohol sales can take place in the non-gambling spaces.

Richard Caborn: Section 7(5) of the Gambling Act 2005 requires the Secretary of State to make regulations by reference to which any casino may be classified as a regional, large or small casino. Regulations under this subsection may make provision by reference to the floor area used or designated for a specified purpose. We set out our intentions in this respect in the Government's response to the First Report of the Joint Committee on the draft gambling Bill (Cm 6253). This information was also reproduced in my previous answer to the right hon. Lady of 18 October 2005, Official Report, column 711W.
	Alcohol sales will be permitted in the non-gambling spaces, just as they were under the Gaming Act 1968.

Departmental Estate

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which buildings and sites used by her Department and related agencies (a) have ceased to be used in the last year and (b) will be closed under plans for relocation.

David Lammy: The information is as follows:
	(a) The Department ceased to use its one-floor holding at Woburn Place in central London in April 2005.
	(b) The Department occupies buildings in Blandford Street and Orange Street, both in central London, which it plans to vacate in 2006 and 2007 respectively, as part a project to harmonise its accommodation around its main buildings in Cockspur Street.
	The Royal Parks Agency has not ceased to use any buildings in the past year and has no current plans to close or relinquish buildings.

Gambling Act

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the timetable is for the (a) implementation of the Gambling Act 2005, (b) consultation on and publication of secondary legislation and (c) announcement of the gambling licence applications.

Richard Caborn: We plan to bring the Gambling Act 2005 fully into force with effect from September 2007.
	The first two commencement orders were made at the end of August 2005. These brought into force on 1 October 2005 the provisions of the Act formally creating the Gambling Commission; and giving effect to parliamentary commitments to abolish the 24-hour membership rule in respect of casino and bingo halls, and to increase the number of jackpot machines allowed in a casino to 20.
	My Department has been considering the remaining subordinate legislation needed to complete the process of implementation and the time-table for that legislation. We propose to publish details shortly.
	We expect the Gambling Commission and licensing authorities to start accepting applications for licences and permits from early 2007.

National Lottery

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been awarded from the National Lottery to the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Richard Caborn: In total, nine lottery awards worth 3.6 million have been made to the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust. One award worth 5,000 was made under the awards for all scheme. The other eight awards were made by the New Opportunities Fund, which has since merged with the Community Fund to form the Big Lottery Fund.

National Lottery

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what eligibility criteria are used to distribute Lottery monies to projects directed towards facilities for young people.

Richard Caborn: The Lottery distributors make their funding decisions independently of Government, and against their own criteria for specific funding programmes. However, they are also obliged to take account of policy and financial directions issued to them by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, when making funding decisions. These directions set out the framework for the wider aims of Lottery funding and specifically require the distributors to take into account the needs of children and young people when making funding decisions. Copies of the policy directions have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Agency Workers Directive

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions he has had with his counterparts in Europe on the implementation of the EU Agency Workers Directive.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Over the last few months in bilateral discussions with other member states, at ministerial and official level, we have found that many member states still have major problems with the current draft of the Agency Workers Directive and views remain very polarised on a number of issues. As the directive has not yet been agreed it would be inappropriate to discuss implementation at this time.

Business Link

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the national performance targets are for Business Link; and what the performance has been against those targets of each Business Link office in Devon and Cornwall.

Alun Michael: For this year, there are there national performance targets for Business Link which are:
	1.Market penetration: to deliver the service to 36.6 per cent. of all business (measured against the Inter Departmental Business Register).
	2.Customer satisfaction: to achieve 90 per cent. of all customers to be satisfied with the service provided by Business Link.
	3.Additional target: to have offered a significant level of assistance (defined as intensive assistance) to more than 35,000 businesses this year.
	Business Link is a national brand delivered locally, and overseen by the Regional Development Agency in each area of England since April 2005. In Devon and Cornwall, Business Link performance is ahead of the regional target for penetration (32.2 per cent. of all businesses on the Inter Departmental Business Register) and for Intensive Assistance. The service is on track to meet the customer satisfaction target.

Dairy Industry

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations were received by the Office of Fair Trading on retail price initiatives in the dairy industry prior to its inquiry into that subject; from whom; what the scope is of its inquiry; and when it is expected to be completed.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Competition law enforcement is a matter for the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). It can initiate an investigation under the Competition Act 1998 in response to a complaint or on its own initiative. The OFT initiated its investigation into the milk retail prices initiatives, not in response to representations but because it had reasonable grounds to suspect that the initiatives infringed competition law.
	The milk processors Robert Wiseman Dairies and Dairy Crest have stated that they are included in the investigation of the retail price initiatives. The investigation includes other parties but these have not been made public.
	The timetable for the investigation is a matter for the OFT.

Flexible Working Hours

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made in helping people in South Swindon to achieve flexible working hours; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government are committed to increasing opportunities for people to work flexibly through promoting the benefits of flexible working and through light-touch, targeted legislation. Business Link and ACAS provide tailored guidance to help business manage requests to work flexibly and ACAS have developed a web-based interactive tool, which includes a free online training module.
	The residents of South Swindon, like others, have benefited from the right to request flexible working for parents of children under six and disabled children under 18, introduced in April 2003. This legislation has been a tremendous success, with almost a quarter (22 per cent.) of parents with children under six requesting to work flexibly since the legislation was introduced and around 90 per cent. of requests accepted.
	Building on this success, the recently introduced Work and Families Bill will extend the scope of the existing law to include carers of adults, a group who face particular challenges in juggling their caring responsibilities with work. We will be consulting on the detail of exactly which carers will be covered by the legislation in early 2006.

Gas Shortages

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what emergency powers he has to control the export of gas through the interconnector in the event of severe gas shortages this winter.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 28 November 2005
	The Energy Act 1976 gives the Secretary of State the power to make orders and give directions regulating or prohibiting the production, supply, acquisition or use of fuels including gas.
	Any exercise of these powers would take into account the UK's international obligations and, of course, the requirements of EC law.

Gas Shortages

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade andIndustry 
	(1)  what research his Department has conducted, prior to the beginning of November, on the economic impact of commercial gas users reducing demand in the event of gas shortages this winter;
	(2)  what research his Department had conducted, prior to the beginning of November, into the ability of commercial gas users to reduce demand in the event of gas shortages this winter.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 28 November 2005
	In May 2005 DTI published a report by the independent consultants Global Insight on the potential demand-side response of industrial gas users. This can be found at:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/publications/policy/index.shtml
	More recently, the DTI has commissioned, with industry support, two short studies to update and expand this work.

Hearing Loss Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many hearing loss claims have been registered by Vendside Ltd. with his Department since 1997; and how many cases have been (a) partially and (b) fully paid out.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 24 November 2005
	Vendside Ltd. have not registered any hearing loss claims with the Department. As at 20 November, the Union of Democratic Mineworkers have registered 10,166 claims in which 8,859 claimants have received damages.

Hearing Loss Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether legal advice was (a) sought and (b) received by his Department before the decision was taken to allow hearing loss claims in the mining industry to be represented solely by a claims handler.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 24 November 2005
	No such decision has been taken. The choice of representative is a matter for each individual claimant.

Hearing Loss Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by whom the decision to allow claims handlers to represent claimants in common law hearing loss claims was made.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 24 November 2005
	Who represents them is entirely a matter for each claimant.

Householders' Contracts (Good and Services)

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what decisions have been made regarding the cooling-off period for contracts between householders and (a) unsolicited visits by those offering services or goods and (b) solicited visits by those offering services or goods; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when he expects to announce his proposals following the consultation on doorstep selling and cold calling which closed in November 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government's final response to the OFT report on doorstep selling has been delayed for a number of reasons.
	There was a substantial number of responses to the consultation, which needed to be considered carefully. In addition, the Government wished to await greater clarity on the impact of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive (UCPD), which is specifically directed at aggressive and misleading sales practices towards vulnerable consumers. This clarity was not available until early summer 2005. We also wished to take account of the wider context set by the DTI's Consumer Strategy published in July.
	The Department held a stakeholder event earlier this month to explain this wider context for decisions on doorstep selling and to debate the pros and cons of the seven options for change originally consulted on. This was attended by key stakeholders from the doorstep selling industry, consumer groups, bodies representing vulnerable consumers, OFT and Trading Standards. In the light of the comments received from stakeholders, Ministers will be considering next steps and intend to publish a final response from the Government as soon as possible.

Industrial Injury Claims

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many common law industrial injury claims relating to the coal industry have been paid out through (a) all claims handlers and (b) Vendside Ltd. in the last eight years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 24 November 2005
	No common law industrial injury claims have been paid through claims handlers. All common law industrial injury claims settled in the last eight years have been from either solicitors (21,246) or the Union of Democratic Mineworkers (8,758).

Low Skilled Workers

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has undertaken on the scale of the shortage of low skilled workers in big cities in the UK.

Alun Michael: The Department of Trade and Industry has published a report on Regional Employment and Skills in the Knowledge Economy by Local Futures (URN 05/1328) which looks at regional differences in both the supply and demand for people at all skill levels. This is available in the House of Commons Library and can be obtained from DTI publications on 0845 015 0010 or from the Vote Office.
	The main source of information on skill shortages is the Learning and Skills Council's National Employers Skill Survey that in 2003 surveyed 72,000 employers. The survey is updated every other year and 2005 figures will be available shortly. It highlights skill shortages according to occupation (low skilled workers will typically be in elementary occupations) and while not looking at the city level provides information for each of the RDA regions and for the 27 local LSC areas. Other research in this area is being undertaken at the regional level and an example of this is the 'Northern Way' initiative that looks at the eight city regions in the three Northern RDAs http://thenorthernway.co.uk/docs/2005).

Miners' Compensation

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many requests were made by (a) National Union of Miners and (b) National Union of Miners (Yorkshire Area) for a separate claims-handling agreement for miners' compensation between 1997 and 2000.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 28 November 2005
	The National Union of Mineworkers made three requests for a separate claims handling agreement for miners compensation between 1997 and 2000. No such requests were received from the National Union of Mineworkers (Yorkshire Area).

Rogue Dialling

Brian Binley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will take steps to protect consumers from the telecommunications fraud known as rogue dialling; and if he will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Protection has been put in place to deal with the annoying activity of rogue dialling but it is not simple. Since August 2004 the Independent Committee for the Supervision of Standards of Telephone Information Services (ICSTIS) has operated a prior permission scheme for premium rate diallers. This has been at the least of discouraging rogue dialling and it has greatly reduced the incidence of rogue dialling. The independent regulator for electronic communications, the Office of Communications, is currently consulting on extending this scheme to enable ICSTIS to take action against any rogue dialler irrespective of the telephone number or call charge used. We are increasing the maximum fine for breaching the independent regulator ICSTIS' code of practice from 100,000 to 250,000, in order to deter rogue diallers.

Sectoral Investment

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what sectoral investment opportunities he has identified for United Kingdom businesses in (a) Argentina and (b) Uruguay; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: In both countries there are likely to be investment opportunities across all sectors in Argentina some sectors (mining, agriculture, construction) are growing rapidly, although others are still suffering following the economic crisis in 2002.
	There are investment opportunities in Uruguay for British firms in a number of sectors including agriculture, tourism, forestry and energy. In addition, state companies operating in various sectors (electricity, fuels, oil refining, telephones, railroads and ports) are seeking consultants to advise on public-private partnerships (PPP). Plans to construct a new airport and modernise the health sector may give rise to a range of opportunities.

Solar Photovoltaics

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to encourage private sector investment in the UK solar photovoltaics sector.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Lynne Jones) on 17 November 2005, Official Report, column 1510W.

Solar Photovoltaics

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of (a) capital grants, (b) feed in tariffs and (c) other support mechanisms in developing the UK's solar photovoltaics industry.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is as follows.
	(a) The capital grants provided through the Solar PV Programme have contributed to the development of the solar photovoltaics industry in the UK. This includes raising awareness of PV and developing an installer base. The new low carbon buildings programme will continue to fund the installation of solar technologies in household, community and large-scale projects. The new programme will have a budget of 30 million over three years and will start in April 2006 subject to EU State Aids clearance. The microgeneration strategy, to be published April 2006, will look at removing some of the wider barriers currently hindering market development.
	(b) and (c) We believe for the UK that it would not be right to set a price for exported electricity. To do so would risk distorting the electricity supply market and would be incompatible with the liberalised arrangements for the UK electricity market and the market for renewable electricity provided by the Renewables Obligation. The framework underpinning our competitive energy markets was established to provide market-based solutions to our energy needs. Intervention by the Government to the extent of setting a price for exported electricity would be an unwarranted intervention that could have adverse effects on the confidence and certainty our liberal framework provides for investors. In addition the current Renewables Obligation Review is looking to simplify the way in which small-scale generators can claim Renewable Obligation Certificates.

Traffic Offences

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people convicted of traffic offences were subject to an anti-social behaviour order in 2004.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is not collected centrally by my Department.

Internet Arms Sales

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the regulation of distance-selling of less lethal weapons via the internet.

Hazel Blears: I have been asked to reply.
	The internet is regulated by the application of existing law, which applies equally online and offline. It is an offence to sell seventeen offensive weapons, in addition to flick knives and gravity knives to a person of any age; to market a knife in a way which suggests it is suitable for combat; and to sell a knife to a person under 16. We are raising this to 18 in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill currently before Parliament.
	Tasers and incapacitant sprays using CS or PAVA are prohibited weapons and cannot be sold, purchased or possessed without authority from the Secretary of State. Baton guns are also controlled under firearms laws and, depending on their size, can be prohibited weapons.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Asset Register

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library the asset register for his Office for each year since his Office was established.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was established following the Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. Officials in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have, for the sake of clarity and consistency, converted the extremely detailed information on assets held on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's accounting system for the financial years ending 31 March 2003, 2004 and 2005 into the National Asset Register format. Once the information is collated copies will be made available in the Library of the House.

Council Elections

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities in England have requested a move to whole council elections as outlined in the consultation document vibrant local leadership.

Phil Woolas: Pursuant to my answer of 7 November 2005, Official Report, column 190w, the seven district councils are Broadland, Eastbourne, Congleton, Swale, Havant, Bristol and South Cambridgeshire. Broadland has made a formal request under s7(4) of the Local Government Act 1972; the other local authorities are in the process of making formal requests as required by the legislation.

Departmental Websites

Charles Hendry: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure the Department's websites attain the W3C AAA standard of accessibility for people with visual and other disabilities; and if he will set a target date for this standard to be achieved by.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister follows the Guidelines for UK Government websites. These indicate that websites should meet Level A of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, while identifying certain Priority Two and Three Checkpoints as best practice.
	Neither these Guidelines, e-Accessibility communications from the European Union nor advice from the RNIB suggest that Government websites should attain and maintain Level AAA.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's current accessibility policy is therefore that its websites should aim to conform to WAIAA rating where HTML is used. Where possible, we also aim to conform to a number of checkpoints from the Level AAA requirement, such as:
	contrast between foreground and background colours (P3 Checkpoint 2.2)
	use of access-keys (P3 Checkpoint 9.5)
	provision of a site map (P3 Checkpoint 13.3)
	provision of skip navigation (P3 Checkpoint 13.6)
	provision of search facilities (P3 Checkpoint 13.7)
	speech-enablement (P3 Checkpoint 14.2)
	consistent presentation across all pages (P3 Checkpoint 14.3)
	All these checkpoints are met by the main Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's site, www.odpm.gov.uk.

Fire Authorities

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the fire authorities that have introduced charging for non-statutory services in the last two years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Section 19 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 provides for the Secretary of State to make an order specifying categories of service for which a Fire and Rescue Authority (FRA) may charge. The first such order (SI 2004/2305) specifies 16 such categories. FRAs do not need any further permission from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) to charge under these categories. ODPM do not collate information centrally on which FRAs have decided to charge for a specified category of service.

Housing

Jim Cousins: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many right-to-buy sales there were (a) in total and (b) as a proportion of available stock by (i) each council and (ii) each social landlord in Tyne and Wear in each year since commencement of the scheme; and what the size of the available stock was in each local authority in each year.

Yvette Cooper: The following table shows council housing stock and council housing right to buy sales as a total and as a proportion of available stock for the five Tyne and Wear local authorities. This excludes any preserved right to buy in Sunderland after the large scale voluntary transfer in 200001 as this information is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		LA stock 1 April
		
			  Gateshead Newcastle upon Tyne North Tyneside South Tyneside Sunderland 
		
		
			 1980 38,719 50,315 32,270 34,706 51,385 
			 1981 39,308 50,995 32,518 34,748 51,639 
			 1982 39,617 50,152 31,568 33,541 50,669 
			 1983 37,403 48,577 29,725 32,657 48,172 
			 1984 36,703 47,548 29,532 31,412 46,611 
			 1985 36,157 47,037 29,006 30,544 45,872 
			 1986 35,797 46,512 28,744 29,919 52,168 
			 1987 35,128 46,027 28,495 29,336 51,913 
			 1988 34,423 45,434 27,550 28,931 51,064 
			 1989 33,311 44,660 26,576 28,110 50,124 
			 1990 32,324 43,678 25,655 26,994 48,772 
			 1991 31,387 42,201 24,874 26,483 47,077 
			 1992 30,887 41,209 24,486 26,116 45,681 
			 1993 30,465 40,368 24,058 25,619 44,540 
			 1994 29,774 39,894 23,413 25,252 43,379 
			 1995 29,375 39,224 23,018 24,742 42,450 
			 1996 28,880 38,778 22,761 24,484 41,368 
			 1997 28,545 38,196 22,565 24,199 40,579 
			 1998 27,845 37,226 22,110 23,913 39,751 
			 1999 27,446 36,555 21,309 23,501 38,982 
			 2000 26,856 35,748 20,626 23,089 37,869 
			 2001 26,165 35,280 20,151 22,731 0 
			 2002 25,557 34,447 19,219 22,184 0 
			 2003 24,663 33,277 18,524 21,499 0 
			 2004 23,494 32,369 17,408 20,228 0 
		
	
	Source:
	Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix
	
		LA right to buy sales
		
			  Gateshead Newcastle upon Tyne North Tyneside South Tyneside Sunderland 
		
		
			 198081 0 0 3 93 0 
			 198182 491 815 1,101 1,279 982 
			 198283 1,608 1,726 1,044 1,083 2,426 
			 198384 649 727 687 1,052 1,196 
			 198485 380 516 395 618 473 
			 198586 270 430 337 402 524 
			 198687 293 306 185 427 522 
			 198788 472 358 319 256 571 
			 198889 797 667 628 754 775 
			 198990 998 708 798 738 1,321 
			 199091 893 599 603 456 1,345 
			 199192 490 338 347 396 951 
			 199293 422 293 233 297 661 
			 199394 291 236 124 275 560 
			 199495 308 332 175 260 819 
			 199596 308 255 172 208 746 
			 199697 250 221 157 217 538 
			 199798 326 267 202 283 642 
			 199899 283 207 209 209 546 
			 19992000 452 316 345 355 695 
			 200001 445 266 338 (39) 1,178 
			 200102 510 569 396 (39) LSVT 
			 200203 708 323 594 (39) LSVT 
			 200304 1,043 664 1,030 (39) LSVT 
			 200405 514 867 723 (39) LSVT 
		
	
	(39)South Tyneside did not return data from 200001.
	Source:
	Quarterly returns (P1B) to ODPM from local authorities
	
		LA Right to Buy SalesProportion of total stock Newcastle -- Percentage
		
			  Gateshead Newcastle upon Tyne North Tyneside South Tyneside Sunderland 
		
		
			 198081 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 
			 198182 1.2 1.6 3.4 3.7 1.9 
			 198283 4.1 3.4 3.3 3.2 4.8 
			 198384 1.7 1.5 2.3 3.2 2.5 
			 198485 1.0 1.1 1.3 2.0 1.0 
			 198586 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.1 
			 198687 0.8 0.7 0.6 1.4 1.0 
			 198788 1.3 0.8 1.1 0.9 1.1 
			 198889 2.3 1.5 2.3 2.6 1.5 
			 198990 3.0 1.6 3.0 2.6 2.6 
			 199091 2.8 1.4 2.4 1.7 2.8 
			 199192 1.6 0.8 1.4 1.5 2.0 
			 199293 1.4 0.7 1.0 1.1 1.4 
			 199394 1.0 0.6 0.5 1.1 1.3 
			 199495 1.0 0.8 0.7 1.0 1.9 
			 199596 1.0 0.7 0.7 0.8 1.8 
			 199697 0.9 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.3 
			 199798 1.1 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.6 
			 199899 1.0 0.6 0.9 0.9 1.4 
			 19992000 1.6 0.9 1.6 1.5 1.8 
			 200001 1.7 0.7 1.6 (40) 3.1 
			 200102 1.9 1.6 2.0 (40) LSVT 
			 200203 2.8 0.9 3.1 (40) LSVT 
			 200304 4.2 2.0 5.6 (40) LSVT 
			 200405 2.2 2.7 4.2 (40) LSVT 
		
	
	(40)South Tyneside did not return data from 200001.
	Sources:
	Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix
	Quarterly returns (P1B) to ODPM from local authorities

Local Government

Peter Bone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what would be the length of the period of consultation in regard to changes to the structure of local government in England.

Phil Woolas: In undertaking any consultation on local government structures, the Government would have regard to its code of practice on consultation which provides, but for exceptional cases, for a minimum period of 12 weeks. Implementation of any changes would require legislation.

Local Government

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment the Government have made of the (a) transitional and (b) set-up costs of introducing unitary local government.

Phil Woolas: Other than in the case of the local government restructuring proposed in the context of referendums on regional assemblies, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not made any assessment of the transitional and set up costs of introducing unitary local government.

Local Government Finance

Andy Reed: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to use real data rather than modelling to assess the day visitor indicator element of the formula spending share for local authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Ministers are currently considering the option to update the day visitor indicator for use in the 200607 formula spending shares taking into account the representations received during the recent formula grant distribution consultation.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the organisations that have seconded staff to the Lyons Inquiry into local government finance.

Phil Woolas: The parent organisations of the staff of the Lyons Inquiry comprise the following:
	Audit Commission
	H M Treasury
	New Local Government Network
	Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
	The Inquiry also has an adviser from Shropshire county council, and I understand that it is currently seeking to recruit additional expertise from local government.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many written representations the Lyons inquiry into local government finance has received.

Phil Woolas: I understand that the Lyons inquiry has received over 400 written representations.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the likely costs to local authorities in England of council tax revaluation.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has made no estimate of the likely costs of council tax revaluation to local authorities in England.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many households in London are in each council tax band.

Phil Woolas: The number of dwellings in each council tax band in London, as at 31 March 2005, were:
	
		
			 Band Dwellings (Thousand) 
		
		
			 A 108 
			 B 432 
			 C 853 
			 D 812 
			 E 490 
			 F 245 
			 G 199 
			 H 55 
			 Total 3,194 
		
	
	Source:
	The data are supplied by the Valuation Office Agency.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the (a) Government and (b) Valuation Office Agency conducted research or analysis on the (i) possible distribution and (ii) number of gainers and losers from the council tax revaluation in England prior to the public announcement of its postponement.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 1030W.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list items of expenditure that the valuation tribunal service has incurred on council tax revaluation in (a) England and (b) Wales.

Phil Woolas: The valuation tribunal service has not incurred any expenditure on council tax revaluation in England. The remit of the valuation tribunal service does not extend to Wales.

Local Government Pension Scheme

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will restore the entitlement to the first 12 months pension scheme membership to local government manual workers who began employment before 1991.

Phil Woolas: There are no plans to amend the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations in relation to manual workers whose employment started before the 12 months qualifying condition for joining the scheme was removed. It is open to scheme members to purchase added years membership where appropriate.

Local Government Pension Scheme

George Mudie: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average percentage contribution by local authority employees to the Local Government Pension Scheme was in each of the last five years; and what the total employee contributions were in each year.

Phil Woolas: The employee contribution rate is set by the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 1997. Over the past five years, the rate has been fixed at 6 per cent., with a 5 per cent. contribution rate for those members classed as manual workers prior to March 1998 who can demonstrate continuous membership.
	Further information about the total percentage of employee contributions paid into the scheme in each year since 199596 can be found at:
	http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/stats/data/table3.pdf

Policies (Financial Report)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 31 October 2005, Official Report, column 764W, on policies (financial report), if he will place in the Library copies of the costings carried out on the two documents to which the answer refers.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to HM Treasury's website:
	www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/about/information/foi_disclosures/foi_disclosures_index_cfm

Public Service Agreements

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the attainability of 2004 public service agreement target number 7;
	(2)  what method he will use to measure performance against 2004 public service agreement target number 8, with particular reference to deprived areas;
	(3)  what method and which individual indicators he will use to measure overall performance against 2004 public service agreement targets 5 and 6.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The performance indicators the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister uses to measure progress against all its public service agreement targets are set out in technical notes, which were published at the beginning of 2005. These are available at http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1122982.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister publishes an assessment of progress against these performance indicators in its Annual Report and Autumn Performance reports. The latest assessment published was in the Annual Report for 200405 (cmd 6526). The next assessment will be given in the Autumn Performance Report for 2005, due to be published in December 2005.

Smoke Alarms

Paul Rowen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will issue guidance to fire services on the need for smoke alarms provided to deaf and hard of hearing people to meet the British Standard (BS 54463.2005).

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning) on 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 1046W.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost is of the contract and associated liabilities between the Valuation Office Agency and Cole Layer Trumble.

Phil Woolas: Cole Layer Trumble currently assist the Valuation Office Agency with computer modelling and statistical analysis of the AVM. The total spend with Cole Layer Trumble from July 2004 until end October 2005 is 1,868,780. It is estimated any associated liabilities will not exceed 200,000.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much the Valuation Office Agency spent on digital cameras and related electronic equipment in the last five years for which figures are available; and how many cameras were purchased in each year.

Phil Woolas: This equipment is used across the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) business. In respect of residential property, it is used for external photographs to help valuation officers arrive at fair and accurate valuations. On very rare occasions, for example where a property is in poor condition and this is not obvious from an external photograph alone, the occupier's permission is sought for internal photographs to be taken.
	The Valuation Office Agency has spent 438,749.40 (excluding VAT) on digital camera equipment in the last five years, detailed as follows.
	
		
			   Number purchased Cost (excluding VAT) () 
		
		
			 200102 150 30,425.90 
			 200203 656 202,523.50 
			 200304 (41) (41) 
			 200405 1,270 196,850.00 
			 200506 50 8,950.00 
		
	
	(41)None.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the committees and working groups within the Valuation Office Agency that have been involved in the council tax revaluation in (a) Wales and (b) England.

Phil Woolas: In respect of both England and Wales a large number of committee meetings and working groups were naturally held in the course of business in preparation for the revaluations.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements are in place for compensating a property owner if Valuation Office Agency inspectors accidentally damage property.

Phil Woolas: The Agency would consider a claim for compensation for any direct costs incurred.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what account the Valuation Office Agency takes of the presence of human or animal remains in making a valuation of a domestic property.

Phil Woolas: The proximity of, for example, burial ground might affect value, as might any other feature in the locality.

CABINET OFFICE

Central Office of Information

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster for what reasons the Central Office of Information holds framework agreements with companies allowing contracts to be awarded without prior notification in the Official Journal of the European Union; and what assessment he has made of the cost-effectiveness of this approach.

Jim Murphy: The Central Office of Information (COI) sets up framework agreements with companies in a manner fully compliant with the procurement rules of the European Union. The framework agreements are advertised in the Official Journal of the European Journal and are refreshed on a regular basis.
	Framework agreements are set up because:
	COI's staff are expert in the markets in which they operate and are, therefore, best placed to identify and select the best suppliers, removing the need for replication of expertise across government;
	they allow COI to ensure that industry best practice, particularly in relation to competitive terms of business, is built into agreements at the earliest possible stage;
	they allow purchasers in the public sector to obtain value for money in their purchasing while being assured that their procurement is compliant with UK and EU legislation;
	they save time and money for government purchasers by ensuring that the terms and conditions of individual contracts are robust and follow best practice;
	although they save time and money for suppliers because they remove the need to undertake a full credentials presentation for each contract separately, they still enable contestability and competition by requiring appropriate suppliers to pitch for each individual contract awarded under the agreements.

Government Services (Online Access)

Martin Horwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of Government services have been accessible online in each year since 1998.

Jim Murphy: The Modernising Government White Paper published in March 1999 proposed a target date of 2008 by which all Government services to the citizen and to business should be available online. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, announced on 30 March 2000 that the target date had been advanced from 2008 to 2005.
	Figures for the proportion of Government services accessible online are not available prior to 2000, but for the years up to and including 2004, they are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Percentage of services reported accessible online 
		
		
			 2000 33 
			 2001 51 
			 2002 63 
			 2003 71 
			 2004 76 
		
	
	At the end of 2004 we also reported that 96 per cent. of services are expected to be online by the March 2006, when the public service agreement target expires.

Race Equality Impact Assessments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many Race Equality Impact Assessments his Department completed between (a) April 2004 and March 2005 and (b) April 2005 and November 2005; and how many assessments in each period resulted in a change of policy.

Jim Murphy: The Cabinet does not legislate in high volumes.
	Nevertheless, all management units in the Department are required to assess their functions and policies annually for their impact on the promotion of race equality, to introduce any necessary amendment and to report the results of their assessments to Human Resources. Units allocate a level of high, medium or low impact to each function and policy and those with a high impact are reviewed annually, mediumbi-annually, and lowevery three years. Any new functions or policies are also assessed in advance of being put in place.
	The majority of the assessments have been of internal departmental functions and policies. However, units would have assessed the general impact on race equality for any recommendations they might make to Departments on service delivery. It would then be the responsibility of those Departments delivering the service to ensure a comprehensive race equality impact assessment being made prior to any recommendation implementation.
	Between April 2004 to March 2005, 102 assessments were undertaken of Cabinet Office functions and policies. Of this total 18 were of high category. As a result of these assessments, 17 changes to functions and policies are being developed or implemented. The Cabinet Office will shortly be publishing a revised Race Equality Scheme which will include details of all assessments over the past three years and actions being taken. Copies will be placed in the Library.
	Assessments undertaken between April 2005 and March 2006 will be reported to Human Resources in early 2006 and published later next year.

Sir Christopher Meyer

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who was responsible for vetting Sir Christopher Meyer's recent book and giving the approval for publication; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: I refer my hon. Friend to the response given to him by my right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, on 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 164W.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Alcohol

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for the sale of alcohol to persons who are intoxicated have been obtained in the force area of North Wales police in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Paul Goggins: In the North Wales police force area, there have been no convictions in years 2001 to 2003 for the offence of licence holders selling or supplying liquor to a drunken person.
	Court statistics for 2005 will be available in autumn 2006.

Alcohol-related Violence

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent to ensure that police officers have the powers and resources needed to deal with alcohol-related violence and disorder in (a) West Yorkshire and (b) Normanton constituency.

Paul Goggins: We have put significant extra resources into the police service in England and Wales. Expenditure on policing supported by Government grant or spent centrally on services for the police has risen by over 39 per cent. or 3 billion between 200001 and 200506. West Yorkshire police has received its fair share of the available resources.
	Allocation of resources between activities and across the force area are operational matters for the chief constable.
	Streamlining administrative licensing processes by the police under the Licensing Act 2003 should lead to a saving of up to 15 million annually. The Act gives the police further powers to tackle alcohol related disorder, for example, by allowing temporary or permanent reductions in trading hours. Through the Violent Crime Reduction Bill we are also introducing further powers for the police to help them tackle the problems of alcohol related crime or disorder.
	We have also recently announced provision of 2.5 million to boost a range of operations to crack down on alcohol-related disorder; the sale of alcohol to under-18s; and the closure of problem premises using existing powers and the tough new powers available to the police in the Licensing Act 2003. Of this, 350,000 will be provided for Trading Standards. Ten basic command units (BCU) across West Yorkshire will receive a share of the fund, including 25,000 for Wakefield BCU.

Asylum Seekers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which nationality accounted for the highest number of applications for asylum in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Information on the top asylum seeking nationalities are available in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2004. Copies of this publication and others relating to general immigration to the UK are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate web site at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Aviation and Maritime Security

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) males and (b) females have been (i) charged with and (ii) convicted of offences under sections (A) 9, (B) 10, (C) 11 and (D) 12 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 in each year since 1993.

Paul Goggins: Statistics on the number of persons charged with a crime are not centrally collected.
	There are no records of any convictions reported via the Home Office Court Proceedings database for offences under sections, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 in England and Wales, 1993 to 2004.

Child Pornography

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what further steps he intends to take to ensure that credit card companies take action to prevent the cards issued by them being used to purchase child pornography on the internet;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the steps that have been taken by credit card companies to combat the purchasing of child pornography on the internet.

Paul Goggins: I set out on 10 January 2005, Official Report, column 316W the various steps which have already been taken by payment card companies in conjunction with Government, law enforcement, and the children's charities to combat the purchase of child abuse images on line.
	The Government continues to assess the impact of these initiatives in discussion with a wide range of organisations including payment associations.
	With regard to the specific issue of whether an individual who uses a payment card to purchase images of child abuse could have the card involved in the purchase of images removed from them by the issuing card company. I understand that the Department for Constitutional Affairs is considering how changes to Schedule three of the Data Protection Act to enable payment card companies to legitimately hold and process sensitive data concerning an individual and their convictions would work in practice. Any such change would provide card issuers with the ability to remove an individual's card once they have been advised of the commission of an offence.

Correspondence

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Eastbourne of 28 September 2004, 9 May 2005, 28 June 2005 and 15 August 2005 regarding his constituents Mr. and Mrs. Tanner of Percival Crescent, Eastbourne.

Andy Burnham: The chief executive of the United Kingdom Passport Service, wrote to the hon. Member on 23 November 2005.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter of 9 August from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, (acknowledged 11 August 2005, reference B18797/5), Home Office reference E1010147.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my right hon. Friend on 25 November.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister for Immigration will reply to the letter of 20 September from the hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, Home Office reference H1047147, regarding Mr. Tasooji.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) replied to my right hon. Friend on 25 November.

Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 20 September from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood, on F. Scott, his Department's reference 51155584, acknowledgement reference B22357/5.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) wrote to my right hon. Friend on 25 November.

Criminal Records Bureau

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what requirements there are for further Criminal Records Bureau checks for individuals providing private tuition to young people where the tutor is not a teacher and holds an enhanced disclosure certificate.

Andy Burnham: The Criminal Records Bureau does not impose any requirement on individuals to obtain a disclosure. The decision whether to obtain a disclosure for a specific eligible position rests solely with the recruiter, bearing in mind any existing legal obligations which may govern their employment sector.
	Tutors working for private individuals, such as parents, are not generally eligible for enhanced disclosure because parents are not entitled to ask exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. An individual cannot at present obtain a disclosure without an exempted question being asked.
	However, if tutoring is carried out in a formalised environment, such as a school, the position is likely to be eligible for disclosure by virtue of being in a regulated position under the terms of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (CJCSA). Nevertheless the CRB imposes no requirement on such individuals to obtain disclosures, although other guidelines may make the work eligible for checks.

Criminal Records Bureau

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action is being taken to deal with the backlog in Criminal Records Bureau checks.

Andy Burnham: There is no backlog of checks in the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). The Bureau's performance for Standard Disclosures has consistently exceeded the target of 93 per cent. issued within two weeks because the processing of a Standard Disclosure is entirely within the direct control of the CRB.
	However, there are checks outstanding in a small number of police forces and this has led to a drop in the performance for Enhanced Disclosures overall and specifically for any application requiring a check by one of those forces.

Criminal Records Bureau

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the accuracy of data held by the Criminal Records Bureau; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) processes but does not hold information. The CRB accesses a number of sources of information to provide its disclosure service, including criminal record information held on the Police National Computer (PNC).
	The police service is responsible for the accuracy of information recorded on the PNC. My Department commissioned some research which showed that conviction data was entirely accurate in the majority of cases. Additionally, a Code of Practice was published in January 2005 which set national targets for the timely entry of conviction data onto the PNC. Performance is monitored by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.
	In addition to the PNC, the CRB accesses information systems operated by other Government Departments. Those Departments are responsible for the accuracy of their respective systems.

Deportation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the compatibility of his proposed deportation policy with Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Tony McNulty: As we have made clear on a number of occasions deportations will only take place if the removal is consistent with our international obligations.

Fireworks Offences

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State forthe Home Department how many illegal fireworks were seized in (a) Norfolk, (b) the East of England, (c) England and (d) England and Wales in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department of Trade and Industry does not collect or hold figures on the number of seized illegal fireworks.
	Various agencies have powers to seize illegal fireworks: Customsillegally imported fireworks; Health and Safety Executiveillegally stored fireworks; Trading Standardsfireworks that do not comply with the regulations. However figures for these seizures are not collected centrally. My hon. Friend may wish to contact these agencies.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of theimpact of the proposed identity card scheme on (a) money laundering and (b) organised crime; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The identity cards programme is working with representatives from law enforcement agencies and Her Majesty's Revenue  Customs to fully map the impact of the proposed identity cards scheme on efforts to defeat money laundering and organised crime. This work has contributed to the development of the identity cards benefits cases, an overview of which was published on 27 June 2005.
	False identities and false identity documents are standard 'tools of the trade' for organised criminal organisations. The work done with law enforcement agencies and Her Majesty's Revenue  Customs has confirmed that the identity card scheme can improve the intelligence picture available to the law enforcement agencies by providing fast, reliable access to identity and audit log data on intelligence targets and that greater certainty in establishing the identity of individuals involved in large cash transactions may have an additional deterrent effect in terms of money laundering and assist in investigations.

Identity Cards

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the arrangements for identity cardholders to register a change of address; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Identity Cards Programme Team has received a total of four letters from members of the public which mentioned updating address details on the National Identity Register. These letters were received between December 2004 and October 2005. These letters asked for clarification on the process for updating addresses on the Register and inquired whether there would be a charge for amending their record in this way.
	It is intended that updates of addresses will be both easy and secure. There will be a variety of methods to update addresses on the National Identity Register. This could include over the internet, by telephone or in writing but in each case, in order to protect individuals from bogus attempts to change their address details, there would need to be a validation of identity. The Identity Cards Programme is currently investigating themost secure method of conducting such remotely conducted transactions, including the use of new methods involving one-time passwords, which would provide much greater assurance than traditional methods.

Illegal Immigrants (HIV)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of individuals with HIV who have stayed illegally in the UK for longer than 12 months.

Tony McNulty: Although it is impossible to determine accurately how many people are in the UK illegally the Home Office has published a report which included an estimate of the size of the illegal migrant population in the UK in 2001. A copy of the RDS On-line report 29/05 Sizing the unauthorised (illegal) migrant population in the United Kingdom in 2001 can be found at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/notes/june_summaries. html#rdsolr2905.
	This estimate does not separately identify those who have stayed illegally in the UK for longer than 12 months, and there is no evidence on which an estimate of the proportion of such people who are HIV positive could be based.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of letters the Immigration and Nationality Directorate received in 200405 from the legal representatives of applicants for leave to remain received (a) an acknowledgement and (b) a response; what the average time for response was; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate does not keep separate statistics on correspondence received from legal representatives.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of replies to letters from hon. Members to the immigration and nationality directorate were sent within 20 days of receipt of the letter in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: In 2004, 34 per cent. of letters from Members on immigration and nationality (IND)-related matters were answered within 20 days. The year to date figure for 2005 is currently around 50 per cent., though for the last two months (August and September) it has exceeded 70 per cent. This improvement has beenmade against a backdrop of huge increases in correspondence volumes: 24,700 letters from Members in 2003; 35,800 in 2004; and 30,600 in 2005 up to the end of September (and so likely to exceed 40,000 by December).

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average length of time was in the last 12 months for a reply to be sent to an hon. Member by the immigration and nationality directorate from date of receipt of the letter; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Our published target is to answer 95 per cent. of letters from Members on immigration and nationality (IND)-related matters within 20 working days. The average time taken in 200405 was 32 days.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) (i) letters and (ii)emails were sent and (b) phone calls were made by each hon. Member and their staff to (A) the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and (B) the Minister for Immigration in the period 6 May to 31 October, ranked in descending order of total number of representations made; how many received a substantive reply in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The available information is contained in the table which I have placed in the Library. The total number of telephone calls during this period was 18,963. A breakdown of these calls by individual Member is not available because it is not possible for the call handling equipment to identify from which Member's office a call is being made.
	We are constantly striving to improve the service the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) provides to Members. During October I held a series of three meetings with newly-elected Members and those who write most often on IND-related matters. These meetings were intended as an opportunity for Members to tell me how IND needs to improve its communications with them. I shall shortly be writing to all Members setting out how we intend moving forward on the areas for improvement which the meetings identified.

International Arrest Warrants

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  whether his Department is considering proposals to amend guidelines to the police on international arrest warrants;
	(2)  whether his Department is considering proposalsto amend legislation on international arrest warrants.

Andy Burnham: The Government are currently considering a range of issues relating to the issuing of arrest warrants in international cases but has not yet concluded what changes, if any, are required.

International Arrest Warrants

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received from the (a) Israeli Government and (b) United States Administration concerning amendments to legislation on international arrest warrants;
	(2)  what meetings (a) he and (b) his Department (i) has had since 11 September and (ii) is planning to have with representatives of the Israeli (A) Ministry of Law, (B) State Attorney Office and (C) Foreign Ministry regarding the arrest warrant for General Almog.

Andy Burnham: I refer my hon. Friend to my previous answer of 24 November 2005. Since the meeting referredto in that answer, Home Office officials have participated in one further meeting, with Israeli officials. The detail of that meeting is confidential. No further meetings are scheduled.
	Home Office officials have had no direct contact with the United States Administration concerning amendments to legislation regarding international arrest warrants.

IRIS Project

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the evaluation of the project IRIS operational pilot.

Tony McNulty: The evaluation of the Project IRIS operational pilot will be commercially sensitive but Iwill report the key findings to the House when appropriate.

IRIS Project

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the timetable is for the rollout of IRIS recognition in UK locations.

Tony McNulty: Completion of the IRIS rollout is planned for June 2006.

Leave to Remain

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff at the Immigration and Nationality Office in Sheffield are assigned to processing applications for leave to remain under the provisions of the European Community Association Agreement.

Tony McNulty: 39 members of staff at the Immigration and Nationality Office in Sheffield are assigned to processing such applications.

Managed Migration Routes

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which managed migration routes are being reviewed; if he will list countries which are on hold as a result of the review; and when he expects the review to be completed.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced a review of all managed migration routes on 27 April 2004 in his speech to the Confederation of British Industry on migration. No routes from specific countries are on hold as a result of this review. The review culminated in the five year strategy on asylum and immigration Controlling our Borders: Making Migration Work for Britain which was published on 7 February 2005. Our consultation on the subsequent document on the proposed points-based system for managed migration, Selective admission: making migration work for Britain, closed on 7 November 2005 and the Government expects to publish its response in the new year.

Mobile Telephones (Child Safety)

Judy Mallaber: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made with the mobile phone industry towards protecting children from undesirable contact and unwanted contacts online by using blocking and filtering technology, since the written answer of 10 January 2005, Official Report, column 316W.

Paul Goggins: Further to my answer of 10 January 2005, Official Report, column 316W, I am able to report that following on from the self-regulatory code of practice on new forms of content, the UK mobile phone providers have appointed an independent classification body to develop the framework for classification of content available, and to investigate complaints about providers' classification decisions. The task of classification has been taken on by the Independent Mobile Classification Body, and in February 2005 a classification framework against which content providers will self-classify was completed.
	Today, mobile devices are increasingly available with enhanced features, including colour screens, picture messaging, video cameras and internet browsers and can be used to access a growing variety of content. In anticipation of these products being widely adopted by consumers, including consumers under the age of 18, the mobile operators are putting in place measures that will allow parents and carers to have access to the information with which they can show their children how to use new mobile devices responsibly and the power to influence the type of content they can access.
	For content that is offered on the internet, and not classified in accordance with the independent classification framework, the mobile operators continue to offer parents and carers the opportunity to apply a filter to the mobile operator's internet access service so that the internet content thus accessible is restricted. The filter will be set at a level that is intended to filter out content approximately equivalent to commercial content with a classification of 18.

Passports

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of passport photographs have been rejected as being insufficiently clear by the UK Passport Service since 1 October.

Andy Burnham: The proportion of photographs being rejected because of the photograph not being sufficiently clear is 2.6 per cent. as proportion of total applications for the period 3 October 2005 to 20 November 2005. The total number of applications that have had photograph rejections for all reasons is 12.7 per cent. in the same period.
	Photograph reject rates are however showing a decline as the photo booth industry upgrades their booths and the public understand the new standards.
	The UKPS is revising the guidance in the application pack and on its website and continuing to work with both the industry and their Partners such as Post Office Ltd to ensure that inconvenience to customers is kept to a minimum.

Passports

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the costs of the introduction of the high street network of offices for conducting interviews for all first-time adult applicants for passports in (a) 200506 and (b) 200607;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the costs in (a) 200506 and (b) 200607 of introducing biometric passports.

Andy Burnham: The UK Passport Service will begin issuing biometric passports in 200506. As stated in the Corporate and Business Plans, the average unit cost for the production of passports will rise from 42.36 in 200506 to 57.93 in 200607 to cater for a range of improvement initiatives, among which is the introduction of biometrics and the introduction of offices for conducting interviews.
	Although a contract for this work has been signed, the UK Passport Service is unable to release detailed costs at this time as it may prejudice our negotiating position for future procurement to incorporate the second biometric.
	The UK Passport Service has not yet completed the procurement process for the introduction of the high street network of offices for conducting interviews for all first-time adult applicants for passports. It is therefore unable to release details on costs at this time as it could prejudice the contract negotiations.

Police Reform Act (Schedule 4)

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been (a) required not to consume alcohol in a designated public place and (b) forced to surrender any alcohol or container for alcohol by (i) community support officers and (ii) police officers under paragraph 5 of schedule 4 to the Police Reform Act 2002 in each of the last four years, broken down by police authority.

Paul Goggins: Information from the Home Office Court Proceedings database on the number of defendants prosecuted for contravening a community support officers requirement to surrender liquor and not to consumer liquor, by police force area, is shown in the table.
	Court statistics for 2005 will be available in autumn 2006. Similar information is not available in respect of police officers.
	In addition to the aforementioned, information was collected on alcohol confiscations undertaken during the nationwide 2004 summer Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC). The campaign started at the beginning of July 2004 and ended at the end of August 2004 and the results were published in a Lessons Learned document. This showed that in total the police confiscated alcohol from 9,677 people. Two-thirds of these (66 per cent.) confiscations were from alcohol exclusion zones or designated areas, and one-third (34 per cent.) were from youths. During a similar shorter two-week Christmas 2004/new year 2005 AMEC the police confiscated alcohol from 1,560 youths and 1,290 adults in a designated area. The following number of Designated Public Places Orders have been introduced: three in 2001; 69 in 2002; 78 in 2003; 92 in 2004; 59 so far in 2005.
	
		Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts for certain offences, by police force area, 1999 to 2004(42)
		
			  Offence description  Principal statute  Year  Police force area Proceeded against 
		
		
			 Contravening a community support officers' requirement to surrender liquor Police Reform Act 2002 Sch 4 Para 6 (Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997 S.1) 1999 Hampshire 1 
			Lancashire 1 
			Merseyside 1 
			Sussex 1 
			Total 4 
			  
			   2000 Hampshire 1 
			Humberside 1 
			Lancashire 1 
			Wiltshire 1 
			Total 4 
			  
			   2001 Cumbria 1 
			Devon and Cornwall 1 
			Thames Valley 1 
			Gwent 1 
			Total 4 
			  
			   2002 Cleveland 1 
			Metropolitan Police 2 
			Northumbria 2 
			Total 5 
			  
			   2003 North Yorkshire 1 
			Northumbria 1 
			Staffordshire 1 
			North Wales 1 
			Total 4 
			  
			   2004 Essex 1 
			Humberside 3 
			Metropolitan Police 1 
			Northumbria 3 
			Staffordshire 1 
			West Midlands 2 
			South Wales 1 
			Total 12 
			  
			 Contravene a community support officers' requirement not to consume liquor Police Reform Act 2002 Sch 4 Para 5 (Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 S.12) 2002 Avon and Somerset 1 
			Bedfordshire 3 
			Cumbria 1 
			Devon and Cornwall 2 
			Dorset 1 
			Greater Manchester 1 
			Humberside 2 
			Lancashire 1 
			Leicestershire 1 
			Metropolitan Police 16 
			Northumbria 1 
			Sussex 3 
			West Mercia 2 
			Wiltshire 1 
			North Wales 1 
			Total 37 
			  
			   2003 Avon and Somerset 4 
			Bedfordshire 13 
			Devon and Cornwall 8 
			Gloucestershire 1 
			Greater Manchester 1 
			Lancashire 4 
			Metropolitan Police 36 
			Norfolk 11 
			Northumbria 3 
			Staffordshire 3 
			Sussex 1 
			Thames Valley 15 
			West Midlands 3 
			West Yorkshire 3 
			Wiltshire 1 
			Gwent 1 
			Total 108 
			  
			   2004 Avon and Somerset 9 
			Bedfordshire 4 
			Derbyshire 2 
			Devon and Cornwall 6 
			Dorset 1 
			Gloucestershire 2 
			Greater Manchester 4 
			Hampshire 1 
			Lancashire 2 
			Metropolitan Police 19 
			Norfolk 3 
			Northumbria 5 
			Staffordshire 1 
			Sussex 7 
			Thames Valley 31 
			West Mercia 1 
			West Midlands 13 
			Wiltshire 2 
			Gwent 4 
			North Wales 2 
			South Wales 3 
			Total 122 
		
	
	(42)These data are on the principal offence basis.

Terrorist Suspects

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in negotiations with (a) Algeria, (b) Egypt, (c) Tunisia, (d) Morocco, (e) Libya, (f) Pakistan, (g) Sri Lanka and (h) India, regarding deportation and exclusion powers relating to those suspected of terrorism.

Tony McNulty: We have signed Memoranda of Understanding with Jordan and with Libya regulating the provision of assurances in respect of people who are being deported.
	We have said that we are in negotiations with the governments of Algeria and the Lebanon. Those negotiations are continuing, and we hope to conclude them shortly.
	It would be premature to comment on the state of any other negotiations or to identify the country or countries involved.
	The power to exclude relates solely to cases where theperson concerned is outside the United Kingdom. It is a unilateral decision, and we have not had any negotiations with other countries regarding the use of this power.

Uzbekistan

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures (a) have been and (b) will be taken to ensure Uzbek officials banned from travelling to the European Union do not enter the United Kingdom.

Tony McNulty: A Statutory Instrument incorporating the recent European Union (EU) Common Position on Uzbekistan is currently being prepared and will be laid before Parliament without delay. This amending Order will enable all those identified in designated EU and UN instruments as subject to restrictive travel measures to be excluded from the UK. Until travel bans are designated by Order, provision exists in the Immigration Rules for leave to be refused or cancelled on non-conducive grounds.
	Details of those senior Uzbek officials subject to restrictive travel measures are being placed on appropriate databases which are available to UK immigration officials at posts overseas and ports of entry.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefit Expenditure

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on (a) jobseeker's allowance, (b) incapacity benefit and (c) the administration of each in (i) 1997 and (ii) the most recent year for which information is available; and how many recipients of each benefit there were at 1 January in each year.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 30 November 2005
	The information regarding the amount spent on jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefit is in the table.
	
		Expenditure on incapacity benefit and jobseeker's allowance in Great Britain in 199798 and 200405 -- Million
		
			  Nominal terms Real terms 
			  199798 200405 199798 200405 
		
		
			 Contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance 475 438 576 449 
			 Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance 3,418 1,729 4,144 1,772 
			 Total Jobseeker's Allowance 3,893 2,167 4,720 2,221 
			 Incapacity Benefitworking age 6,744 6,679 8,175 6,846 
			 Severe Disablement Allowance Working Age 862 783 1,045 802 
			 Income Support for people under 60s, excluding the unemployed  Long Term Sick and Disabled 3,163 4,786 3,834 4,906 
			 Income Support for people under 60s, excluding the unemployed  Short Term Sick 516 421 625 431 
			 Total Working Age incapacity benefits 11,285 12,669 13,679 12,985 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.All data is consistent with the 2005 Budget.
	2.All figures have been rounded to the nearest million pounds.
	3.The DWP Expenditure Tables can be accessed at the following internet address:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/medium_term.asp
	Source:
	The Expenditure data has been taken from tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 of the DWP Expenditure Tables.
	Information regarding the administration cost of jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefit is not currently available in the format requested. In accordance with the requirements of Resource Accounting and Budgeting the Department now accounts for its administration and benefit expenditure by Strategic Objective, as set out in its public service agreements (PSA) and by individual Requests for Resources (RfR's), as set out in the Departmental Estimates and Accounts. Information on administrative expenditure by strategic objective is available in the Departmental Report for 2005 (Cm 6539), which is available in the Library.
	The available information regarding the number of recipients of jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefit is in the tables.
	
		Jobseeker's allowance recipients: Great Britain, January and February 1997 and 2005
		
			  1997 2005 
		
		
			 January 1,747,300 784,800 
			 February 1,684,800 788,600 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are seasonally adjusted.
	Source:
	Seasonally adjusted count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems.
	
		Working age incapacity benefit/severe disability allowance beneficiaries: Great Britain, February 1997 and 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 1,974,100 
			 2005 1,786,900 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 100.
	2.February 1997 figures were produced using the 5 per cent. data and have been rated up proportionally for consistency with the WPLS 100 per cent. IB/SDA totals.
	3.'Beneficiaries' figures include all IB and SDA (excluding IB credits only cases).
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, five per cent Sample for 1997 and Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) 100 per cent. data for 2005.

Benefit Expenditure

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent on (a) jobseeker's allowance and (b) incapacity benefit in (i) West Yorkshire and (ii) Normanton constituency since 2001.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the tables.
	
		Jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefits expenditure in West Yorkshire and the Normanton parliamentary constituency --  millions, nominal terms
		
			   Outturn 
			   200102 200203 200304 2004051 
		
		
			 Total jobseeker's allowance, of which: West Yorkshire 115.261 109.761 101.889 81.844 
			  Normanton 3.091 2.464 1.941 1.788 
			 Jobseeker's allowancecontribution based West Yorkshire 18.638 19.119 17.938 15.706 
			  Normanton 1.009 0.847 0.692 0.541 
			 Jobseeker's allowanceincome based West Yorkshire 96.623 90.642 83.951 66.138 
			  Normanton 2.082 1.617 1.249 1.247 
			   
			 Total incapacity benefits, of which: West Yorkshire 477.805 481.689 485.254 501.234 
			  Normanton 16.949 16.530 16.362 17.252 
			 Incapacity benefitworking age West Yorkshire 263.024 265.096 261.094 263.248 
			  Normanton 11.546 11.559 11.303 11.473 
			 Severe disablement allowanceworking age West Yorkshire 31.698 28.638 27.463 28.118 
			  Normanton 1.411 1.291 1.209 1.171 
			   
			 Income support for people under 60, excluding West Yorkshire 164.071 168.732 177.060 191.211 
			 the unemployedlong-term sick and disabled Normanton 3.514 3.239 3.370 4.088 
			 Income support for people under 60, excluding West Yorkshire 19.012 19.223 19.637 18.657 
			 the unemployedshort-term sick Normanton 0.478 0.441 0.480 0.520 
		
	
	(43)Estimated.
	
		Jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefits expenditure in West Yorkshire and the Normanton parliamentary constituency --  millions, real terms (200506 prices)
		
			   Outturn 
			   200102 200203 200304 2004051 
		
		
			 Total jobseeker's allowance, of which: West Yorkshire 128.116 117.964 106.504 83.891 
			  Normanton 3.436 2.648 2.030 1.832 
			 Jobseeker's allowancecontribution based West Yorkshire 20.717 20.548 18.750 16.099 
			  Normanton 1.122 0.910 0.724 0.554 
			 Jobseeker's allowanceincome based West Yorkshire 107.399 97.416 87.754 67.792 
			  Normanton 2.314 1.738 1.306 1.278 
			   
			 Total working age incapacity benefits, of which: West Yorkshire 531.092 517.688 507.235 513.768 
			  Normanton 18.839 17.764 17.102 17.683 
			 Incapacity benefitworking age West Yorkshire 292.358 284.908 272.921 269.830 
			  Normanton 12.834 12.422 11.815 11.760 
			 Severe disablement allowanceworking age West Yorkshire 35.233 30.778 28.707 28.822 
			  Normanton 1.568 1.388 1.264 1.200 
			   
			 Income support for people under 60, excluding West Yorkshire 182.369 181.343 185.081 195.993 
			 the unemployedlong-term sick and disabled Normanton 3.905 3.481 3.522 4.190 
			 Income support for people under 60, excluding West Yorkshire 21.132 20.659 20.526 19.123 
			 the unemployedshort-term sick Normanton 0.532 0.473 0.501 0.533 
		
	
	(44)Estimated.
	Notes:
	1.Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory.
	2.West Yorkshire (Metropolitan County) is made up of the following local authorities: Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
	3.Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance expenditure has been apportioned using DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, 100 per cent. Data.
	4.Jobseeker's allowance and income support expenditure has been apportioned using DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, 5 per cent. samples.
	5.Income support long-term sick and disabled expenditure is income support paid to claimants who receive a disability premium.
	6.Income support short-term sick expenditure is income support paid to claimants who have been sick for less than 365.
	7.Figures relate to working age claimants only.
	8.Figures for 200405 are estimated outturn.
	9.Figures are expressed in millions but rounded to the nearest hundred thousand pounds.
	10.Real term figures are in 200506 prices.
	11.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	12.Expenditure data is consistent with the Budget 2005 Report and the Great Britain historical outturn expenditure figures published in the DWP Expenditure Tables.
	13.The DWP Expenditure Tables can be accessed at the following internet address: www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/medium_term.asp.
	Source:
	DWP Cross-Cutting Strategy and Analysis Directorate and DWP Information Directorate.

Benefit Payments

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Scotland receive a social security benefit.

James Plaskitt: The most recent available information is in the tables.
	
		All ages client-group benefit claimants in Scotland by statistical client group as at May 2004
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 All 1,555,700 
			 Jobseeker's 94,200 
			 Incapacity benefits 325,500 
			 Lone parents 72,100 
			 Carers 58,200 
			 Others on income-related benefits 243,300 
			 Disabled 177,700 
			 Bereaved 17,200 
			 Receiving state pension only 567,500 
		
	
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study
	
		All housing benefit (HB) and council tax benefit (CTB) claimants in Scotland by statistical group as at May 2004
		
			  HB CTB 
		
		
			 All claimants 446,900 539,700 
			 Those in receipt of passport benefits 325,200 367,600 
			 Not in receipt of passport benefits 121,800 172,100 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2.Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	3.All ages client group includes claimants of one or more of jobseeker's allowance, income support, incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, disability living allowance, carer's allowance, pension credit, bereavement benefit or widow's benefit, attendance allowance and state pension.
	4.Passport benefits are income support, income-based jobseekers allowance, and pension credit (guaranteed credit).
	5.Housing benefit figures exclude any extended payment cases.
	6.Council tax benefit totals exclude any second adult rebate cases.
	7.Overlaps exist between housing benefit and council tax benefit and all ages client group.
	8.HB/CTB figures have been estimated for non-responding local authorities.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Quarterly 100 per cent. sample, taken in May 2004

Child Support Agency

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made on the migration of existing cases with the Child Support Agency to the new maintenance system; and if he will make a statement;

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on progress being made towards transferring Child Support Agency cases on to the new system.

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions when he expects all Child Support Agency cases to be transferred to the new maintenance scheme.

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he estimates that all the Child Support Agency cases on the old system of maintenance calculation will have transferred to the new system of maintenance calculation; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when all Child Support Agency cases will be transferred to the new maintenance scheme.

James Plaskitt: The Child Support Agency's Chief Executive, Stephen Geraghty, is currently undertaking a root and branch review of the agency. He will report to Ministers and we will make announcements shortly.

Child Support Agency

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what date all those paying child support will be on the new formula.

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children in the Kettering constituency have been supported by parental payments made through the Child Support Agency in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available at constituency level.

Child Support Agency

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many uncleared Child Support Agency cases are awaiting processing in West Lancashire.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available at constituency level.

Child Support Agency

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of time staff at the Child Support Agency spent assessing levels of maintenance compared to enforcement and compliance activity in (a) 1988 and (b) the latest period for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty to Mr. Laws, dated 30 November 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the proportion of time staff at the Child Support Agency spent assessing levels of maintenance compared to enforcement and compliance activity in (a) 1988 and (b) the latest period for which figures are available.
	The Agency does not collect information concerning the amount of time spent on assessing levels of maintenance compared with time spent on enforcement and compliance activities.
	However, the Agency does collect information on the number of staff working on assessing levels of maintenance compared with enforcement  compliance activities. In October 2005, of the staff working in these areas, 56% were involved in activities that contributed to assessing levels of maintenance, and 44% in activities involving enforcement and compliance.
	A comparison cannot be made back to 1988, as the Agency was not in existence at that time.
	I hope you find this information useful.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the reasons are for the extension of the contract with EDS until 2010.

Stephen Timms: The realigned contract between EDS and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) consolidates the contractual arrangements with EDS which the Department inherited from the Department of Social Security and Employment Service of the Department for Education and Employment, with a single end date of 2010.
	The realigned contract will radically simplify both parties' administration costs and deliver efficiencies and cost savings. On average, over the next five years, the Department will be spending around 520 million a year on services delivered by EDS, compared to more than 700 million a year spent since the DWP was created. EDS prices will be regularly benchmarked so that the Department continues to receive competitive rates and value for money.
	The contract also allows for the Department's entire IT infrastructure to be upgraded and will provide access to modernised IT which is easier to maintain and update than bespoke services.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of (a) harassment, (b) bullying and (c) discrimination have been reported to the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive, Mr.Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 30 November 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of (a) harassment (b) bullying and (c) discrimination have been reported to the Child Support Agency in each of the last five years.
	The numbers of harassment, bullying and discrimination cases formally reported to the Agency in the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200001 34 
			 200102 49 
			 200203 32 
			 200304 44 
			 200405 22 
		
	
	The nature of the complaints does not allow separation of the data into the constituent elements of harassment, bullying and discrimination.
	I hope you find this response helpful.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff working for the Child Support Agency in each year since 2001 have been working for the agency for (a) more than five years, (b) more than two years, (c) more than a year and (d) less than a year.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Stephen Geraghty. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 30 November 2005
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many staff working for the Child Support Agency in each year since 2001 have been working for the Agency for (a) more than five years (b) more than two years (c) more than a year and (d)less than a year.
	The table below provides the figures requested:
	
		
			  Less than 1 year More than 1 year More than 2 years More than 5 years 
		
		
			 April 2000-March 2001 1,342 7,845 6,753 4,742 
			 April 2001-March 2002 1,665 7,806 6,747 4,600 
			 April 2002-March 2003 1,335 8,952 7,408 4,919 
			 April 2003-March 2004 967 9,248 8,154 5,250 
			 April 2004-March 2005 275 9,475 8,789 5,839 
		
	
	Note:
	Columns 4 and 5 are subsets of column 3 in all years
	I hope you find this response helpful.

Child Support Agency

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what factors he took into account when setting the case compliance target for the Child Support Agency new scheme for 200405 and 200506;
	(2)  what factors he took into account when setting the accuracy target for the Child Support Agency new scheme for 200405 and 200506.

James Plaskitt: The Child Support Agency's targets for 200405 were set in the light of available information about performance during the first year of the new scheme. For 200506 the previous year's targets were rolled forward pending the arrival of the agency's new chief executive and his conduct of a root and branch review of the delivery of the child support service.

Child Support Agency

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Gravesend constituency have received the correct level of payments from the Child Support Agency since its reorganisation in 2003; and what proportion of eligible Gravesend residents this represents.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available at constituency level.

Departmental Targets

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions why a baseline year in the future has been used for the purposes of measuring performance against 2004 public service agreement target 10.

James Plaskitt: The PSA 10 target we are currently working towards was set in SR2002. As 200506 marks the end of the existing target cycle, we have taken the opportunity to develop and improve the measurement system used to estimate fraud and error in income support and jobseeker's allowance. This has led to a methodology for estimating fraud and error significantly different from that used before and it was therefore appropriate to use a new baseline figure for 200506, which will be measured using this new methodology. This was announced in SR2004.
	This has been done in consultation with the National Audit Office and in such a way as to estimate the impact that the changes will have on the measure.

Departmental Targets

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what data source he will use for the purposes of measuring performance against 2004 public service agreement target 6.

Stephen Timms: DWP National Statistics from the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) will be used to measure PSA target 6.

Departmental Targets

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the data required to measure 2004 public service agreement target 7 are published.

Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is on track to meet this public service agreement (PSA) target. PSA target 7 consists of two separate measures: the number of individuals regularly receiving a pension forecast and the number of successful pension traces undertaken. Further details of how the target is measured and reported are provided in DWP's SR2004 PSA technical note.
	Data on both measures will be reported in the 2005 DWP autumn performance report due to be published in December 2005. Subsequent progress reports will also be published in the spring departmental reports and the Pension Service annual reports and accounts. These reports are available to members of the public after they have been presented to the House.
	We are committed to ensuring that the data used in monitoring and reporting on our PSA targets is robust and reliable and this target together with its measurement and reporting have all been agreed with Her Majesty's Treasury.

Departmental Websites

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what websites come under his Department's responsibility; and what the (a) cost and (b) number of visitors to those sites was in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The following table provides a list of departmental sites. Costs have been provided where possible. The table also includes number of visitors to those sites in the financial year 200405.
	Notes
	1.Production, management and maintenance of DWP websites are carried out by the Department's in-house e-communications team. It is not possible to quantify internal costs for each site but contracted and quantifiable costs have been included where possible. 2.Departmental sites are hosted by our IT contractors. In most cases it is not possible to separate these costs from contracted costs. 3.The complex interactive nature of the services that Jobcentre Plus and Worktrain websites provide does allow for web hosting and other costs to be accounted separately. These have been included in the table.
	
		DWP website and main agency sites: costs and numbers of visitors
		
			   200405 
			 Site Address Costs () Number of visitors (visitor sessions) 
		
		
			 DWP www.dwp.gov.uk 101,467 2,562,156 
			 Jobcentre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk 8,639,571 31,317,249 
			 The Pension Service www.thepensionservice.gov.uk  2,093,739 
			 Child Support Agency www.csa.gov.uk  1,253,519 
			 Direct gov Disability Franchise www.direct.gov.uk/disability www.directgov.uk/caringforsomeone 750,000 769,486 
			 
			 Other DWP websites: costs and numbers of visitors 
			 Worktrain www.worktrain.gov.uk 2,241,918 2,733,351 
			 European Social Fund www.esf.gov.uk 28,500 392,038 
			 New Deal www.newdeal.gov.uk  902,476 
			 Age Positive www.agepositive.gov.uk  1,137,532 
			 Employment Zones www.employmentzones.gov.uk  155,889 
			 Disability www.disability.gov.uk  981,470 
			 Targeting Benefit Fraud www.targetingbenefitfraud.gov.uk  198,623

Disability Discrimination Act

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what publicity and advice his Department is making available to small businesses in the 200506 financial year on compliance with their service provider obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Anne McGuire: Between December 2005 and May 2006 the Department will carry out the next phase of its on-going publicity campaign, aimed at informing small businesses of their obligations under the DDA.
	The campaign will focus in turn on each region of the UK. It will be based on partnership working with both national trade bodies, and national and regional business organisations who cover small businesses, and will aim to remind them of the need to consider making the 'reasonable adjustments' appropriate to their business, both as service providers and as employers.
	This activity will be supported with regional press and radio, and national on-line, advertising to alert small businesses to the need for action and to promote the campaign website where they will find practical information and guidance. The website is currently in development and will go live on 1 December.

Habitual Residence Test

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will revise the habitual residence test to take into account the length of time claimants paid tax in the UK before moving abroad.

James Plaskitt: The habitual residence test is working well preventing access to income-related benefits, such as income-based jobseeker's allowance and income support, ensuring that they are only paid to people with reasonable ties to the United Kingdom and who intend to settle here. Someone, with a right to reside in the UK, will be more likely to pass the habitual residence test if they have previously lived and worked in the UK and have returned to resume their residence here.
	Someone who has paid sufficient national insurance contributions to satisfy the qualifying conditions for contributory benefits will not be subject to the habitual residence test.

Health and Safety Executive (Training Providers)

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) improvement and (b) prohibition notices the Health and Safety Executive has issued in the last five years to (i) employers and (ii) learning providers, regarding the supervision of Learning and Skills Council learners and participants on the new deal scheme.

Anne McGuire: I regret this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. HSE's data recording systems do not record whether the recipient of an improvement and prohibition notice was an employer or learning provider under a Learning and Skills Council or new deal scheme.

Health and Safety Executive (Training Providers)

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many inspections the Health and Safety Executive has conducted in the last five years of the arrangements made by training providers for the health and safety of learners and new deal participants contracted to (a) his Department and (b) the Learning and Skills Council; and what other means are being used by the Government to verify the effectiveness of these health and safety arrangements.

Anne McGuire: I regret that information on how many HSE inspections involve training providers under Learning and Skills Council or new deal schemes could be provided only at disproportionate cost. HSE's data recording systems do not require inspectors to state whether an employer whose premises they have inspected is a provider under these schemes.
	Since 1 April 2005 the Learning and Skills Council has been engaged in a successful partnership arrangement with HSE, the aim of helping the Council meet its targets for reducing injuries and ill-health among learners. The work programme will examine, among other things, how learners are supervised and the competence of those assessing work experience providers.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the standard weekly rate of earnings disregard for housing benefit is; how often this has been uprated since its introduction; and what the earnings disregard would be if the initial rate of the disregard were uprated in line with inflation from theyear in which it was introduced;
	(2)  what representations he has received regarding an uprating of the earnings disregard for housing benefit for single parents and disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: We have not had any representations about issues relating to earnings disregards in housing benefit for single parents or the disabled.
	Details of the information requested about earnings disregards in housing benefit are in the table.
	
		Housing benefit earnings disregards at introduction, currently and uprated by inflation since introduction -- 
		
			  Year introduced Weekly rate when introduced Current weekly rate Weekly rate if uprated with inflation(45) 
		
		
			 Single Person 1988 5.00 5.00 8.35 
			 Couple 1988 10.00 10.00 16.75 
			 Higher Rate(46) 1988 15.00 (46)20.00 25.10 
			 Lone Parents(47) 1990 25.00 25.00 38.00 
		
	
	(45)In the final column the earnings disregards have been uprated using the retail price index (RPI) minus housing costs in the preceding September. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5p.
	(46)The higher rate of disregard, which applies to carers, people with disabilities, part-time fire-fighters, lifeboat-men, auxiliary coastguards, and members of any territorial or reserve force, was increased from 15 to 20 in 2001.
	(47)The weekly rate for lone parents has not increased since it was introduced in 1990. However, lone parents were entitled to the higher rate of 15 before 1990.
	Note:
	The standard disregard for singles and couples has not been increased since being introduced in 1988.

Housing Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to simplify the housing benefit non-dependent deduction regime.

James Plaskitt: We have no current plans to reform housing benefit deductions for non-dependants.

Housing Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to improve the (a) transparency and (b) consistency of the method used to determine the local reference rent restriction on housing benefit for tenants in the private rented sector.

James Plaskitt: The local reference rent is determined by independent rent officers, who use evidence of the rents that are actually charged in the private rented sector. The rent officer uses only information on rents paid by tenants not in receipt of housing benefit, to determine the local reference rent for each locality. The determination is based on the mid-point between the highest and lowest rents, which are not exceptionally high or exceptionally low, for the appropriate sizes of property within the locality. This methodology is used consistently by all rent officers.
	An individual can ask for a pre-tenancy determination, through their local authority, to find out what the local reference rent would be prior to taking up a tenancy.
	We have no immediate plans to change the way local reference rents are determined or applied.

Housing Benefit

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the difference between the average amount of housing benefit awarded and the average costs of rent in (a) Huddersfield and (b) the UK.

James Plaskitt: Information is not available for the UKor by parliamentary constituency. Information for Great Britain and Kirklees metropolitan council is in the table.
	
		Weekly average housing benefit awarded, average eligible rent(48) and average contractual rent, by tenancy
		
			  Great Britain Kirklees MBC 
		
		
			 Social sector   
			 Average HB awarded 58.70 50.11 
			 Average eligible rent 62.87 53.15 
			
			 Private rented sector   
			 Average HB awarded 81.74 56.06 
			 Average contractual rent 108.07 80.70 
		
	
	(48)For tenants in the social rented sector it is assumed that the eligible rent (the maximum amount of rent eligible for housing benefit) is equal to contractual rent because the maximum housing benefit entitlement for these tenants is typically equal to their rent. The amount of HB awarded accounts for non dependant deductions and income brought to account so on average the amount of HB awarded will be less than the costs of rent.
	Sources:
	Housing Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent.case load stock-count May 2005, Private Rented Sector contractual rent figures are from Rent Officer data May 2005 and apply to deregulated cases only.

Housing Benefit

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance his Department issues to local authorities concerning war pensions when assessing eligibility for housing benefit.

James Plaskitt: In recognition of the special nature of war disablement and war widow's and war widower's pensions, there is a statutory 10 per week disregard of these payments.
	In addition, there is a total disregard of the whole of the supplementary pension awarded to pre-1973 war widows (widows whose late husband's military service was completed before 31 March 1973 and who are not entitled to an attributable widow's pension from the Ministry of Defence).
	There is also a full disregard of any mobility supplement and payment of war disablement pension based on a need for attendance.
	For housing benefit and council tax benefit purposes, local authorities, who administer these benefits, have discretionary powers to operate a local scheme to disregard up to the full amount of a war disablement pension and war widow's/widower's pension not already subject to a statutory disregard. It is for each local authority to decide how much, if anything, it disregards.
	From April 2004, local authorities operating a discretionary local scheme will receive a 0.2per cent. addition to their annual subsidy, capped at 75per cent. of the total benefit cost to the LA of the local scheme.
	The rationale behind this change to the subsidy rules on discretionary local schemes is to provide recognition through the subsidy system of the existence of such schemes in local authorities. It does not relate to the extent of the disregard that the local authority applies, which remains a matter for individual local authorities.

Incapacity Benefit

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people are claiming incapacity benefit in each of the Lancashire constituencies.

Anne McGuire: The most recent available information is in the table.
	
		Incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance claimants in the Lancashire parliamentary constituencies; as at May 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Blackburn 7,600 
			 Blackpool North and Fleetwood 6,600 
			 Blackpool South 8,200 
			 Burnley 6,800 
			 Chorley 4,900 
			 Fylde 4,200 
			 Hyndburn 6,400 
			 Lancaster and Wyre 3,900 
			 Morecambe and Lunesdale 5,300 
			 Pendle 5,700 
			 Preston 6,800 
			 Ribble Valley 3,400 
			 Rossendale and Darwen 5,800 
			 South Ribble 3,800 
			 West Lancashire 5,100 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2.'Claimant' figures include all incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disability allowance (including IB credits only cases).
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data.

Incapacity Benefit

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) incentives and (b) support he is providing to encourage claimants of incapacity benefit back into work.

Margaret Hodge: Participants on our Pathways to Work pilots receive information and support on financial, employment and health issues, delivered by skilled personal advisers and health professionals, and can also receive help to return to work through the New Deal for Disabled People programme. People starting work through the pilots receive a return to work credit of 40 for up to 52 weeks if their wage is below 15,000 per annum.
	The Pathways to Work pilots have already been successful in helping more than 17,000 people into work and early evaluation has shown an increase of eight percentage points in people leaving the incapacity benefit register within six months.

Incapacity Benefit

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Workand Pensions how many people have been found guilty of fraudulently claiming incapacity benefit in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) North East and (d) the United Kingdom in each year since 1997.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available.

Income Support

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of income support recipients were disabled in (a) May 1997 and (b) May 2005; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: There is no single legal definition of disability. However, a disability premium is payable to entitled income support claimants, this information is provided in the following table.
	
		Income support claimants with a disability premium: Great Britain
		
			  All income support claimants Income support claimants with a disability premium Proportion (percentage) 
		
		
			 May 1997 2,287,600 845,100 36.9 
			 May 2005 2,140,500 1,115,700 52.1 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 100.
	2.Percentages are given to one decimal place.
	3.For comparison purposes, the 1997 figure excludes pensioners. Pensioners have not been able to claim income support since October 2003.
	4.May 1997 figures have been derived by applying 5 per cent. proportions to 100 per cent. WPLS totals.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS)

IT Projects

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many IT projects which cost over 1 million and were introduced since 1997 are in use in his Department.

Stephen Timms: Since its creation in June 2001 the Department for Work and Pensions has delivered a number of projects that involve IT and cost in excess of 1 million. The following lists those mission critical projects and programmes with a substantial IT content which have been delivered since June 2001.
	Corporate Intranet
	Customer Management System Phase 1
	Digital Office Infrastructure
	Managing Core Systems Estate
	Modernising the Employment Service
	Multi Function Server Replacement
	Payment Modernisation Programme
	Pensions Credit
	Pensions Forecasting

IT Projects

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the IT projects costing over 1 million in use in his Department and introduced since 1997 have been scrutinised by the Public Accounts Committee; and if he will list them.

Stephen Timms: Since the creation of the Department for Work and Pensions in June 2001, the only IT project that has been the subject of a Public Accounts Committee scrutiny and report is the Benefit Payment Card project. The report was published on 12 November 2001.

Mental Health (Employment)

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to tackle discrimination against people with mental health problems who are seeking work.

Anne McGuire: Many people with mental health conditions will be covered by the provisions in Part 2 of the Disability Discrimination Act which provide comprehensive protection against disability discrimination in recruitment and employment. These require an employer not to discriminate against disabled people for a reason related to their disability, but also to consider reasonable adjustments to job application or selection processes, and to premises, practices or procedures, if these would otherwise put a disabled person at a substantial disadvantage.
	In addition, from 5 December 2005, under provisions in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, the requirement that a mental illness must be clinically well-recognised before it can be regarded as an impairment under the DDA 1995 will be ended, making it easier for people with mental health illnesses to enforce their rights.
	Around 40 per cent. of all people making a claim for incapacity benefits say that mental health is their main health barrier. Consequently, Pathways advisers have received specialist training in supporting customers with mental health conditions and our Condition Management programmes have a particular emphasis upon advising people on how to manage their condition in a work context.

New Deal (Accidents)

Angela Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many accidents have been recorded as occurring to new deal participants funded by his Department in each year since the new deal began, broken down by (a) fatal, (b) major and (c) those requiring over three days' absence.

Anne McGuire: I regret this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Reports sent to HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations are not required to state whether an injured party was receiving training or experience under new deal schemes.

Obesity

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the impact of obesity on the disability pensions budget in the next 10 years.

Anne McGuire: The information is not available from which to make such an estimate.

Poverty

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners were living in poverty in West Lancashire in each of the last 20 years for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: The seventh annual Opportunity for all report, published recently, sets out the Government's strategy for tackling poverty and social exclusion and presents information on the indicators used to measure progress.
	Information on the number of pensioners in low income is not available below regional level. The following table gives estimates for the number of pensioners in relative low income and absolute low income in the North West.
	
		Number of pensioners living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of GB median income in the North West and Merseyside (in millions) based on three year rolling averages (relative low income)
		
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			 199495 to 199697 0.26 0.31 
			 199596 to 199798 0.27 0.32 
			 199697 to 199899 0.29 0.33 
			 199798 to 199900 0.29 0.32 
			 199899 to 200001 0.28 0.30 
			 19992000 to 200102 0.27 0.28 
			 200001 to 200203 0.28 0.27 
			 200102 to 200304 0.28 0.26 
		
	
	
		Number of pensioners living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of 199697 GB median income held constant in real terms in the North West (in millions) based on three year rolling averages (absolute low income)
		
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			 199495 to 199697 0.30 0.35 
			 199596 to 199798 0.28 0.33 
			 199697 to 199899 0.27 0.31 
			 199798 to 199900 0.26 0.27 
			 199899 to 200001 0.23 0.22 
			 19992000 to 200102 0.20 0.17 
			 200001 to 200203 0.18 0.14 
			 200102 to 200304 0.16 0.12 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures are provided using a three-year rolled average, as single-year estimates do not provide a robust guide to year on year changes. Hence, figures are not consistent with previously published single-year estimates and there may be differences in changes over time. Due to this, the absolute and relative figures in 199697 to 199899 will not necessarily match. In circumstances such as a change in trend, rolled-averages will show less variation than single year estimates.
	2.The estimates use the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication 'Households Below Average Income' (HBAI). Income is net of income tax and council tax, and adjusted for household size and composition.
	3.Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10,000.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey (FRS)

Railways (Health and Safety)

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) technical and financial contracts, (b) technical consultants used on a call-off basis and (c) financial consultants used on a call-off basis by (i) the Health and Safety Commission, (ii) the Health and Safety Executive relating to railway matters since 1 November 2003; what the nature of the assignment for each consultant was; and what the value of work done by each consultant was.

Anne McGuire: In addition to all the rail-related work commissioned by the Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and undertaken by HSE's own internal Health and Safety Laboratory, since 1 November 2003, HSE has engagedthe following external technical and financial consultants:
	
		
			  Name of consultant  Nature of the assignment Value of the work (000) 
		
		
			 University of Newcastle Comparison of the Hatfield and alternative UK rails using models to assess the effect of  residual stress on crack growth 55,000 
			 Bombardier Storage of carriages at Adtranz, CreweHatfield derailment 315 
			 NRPB Survey into the radiological impact of the normal transport of radioactive material by rail 22 
			 Deloitte and Touche(49) Evaluation of HSE's Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Gas, Offshore and  Rail charging regimes(49) (49)214 
			 University College London Analytical work in support of the HSC Working Group to examine risk to rail users from  road vehicles obstructing the railways 7 
		
	
	(49)The rail element was a component of a larger HSE study.

Railways (Health and Safety)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of the health and safety implications of recent rail incidents.

Derek Twigg: I have been asked to reply.
	The Health and Safety Executive, the Government's regulator for rail safety, makes an assessment of all safety-related incidents to determine whether to take enforcement action and/or whether there are lessons to be learnt.

Smoking

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what research his Department has evaluated on the health and safety effects of environmental tobacco smoke on workers; what assessment he has made of the applicability of the guilty knowledge test under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The Health and Safety Commission reached its view on the health and safety effects of second-hand smoke in the workplace by taking into account the report of the Department of Health's Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH). In November 2004, SCOTH's updated report confirmed that second-hand smoke represents a substantial public health hazard.
	The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 does not provide specifically for a guilty knowledge test. While it does not ban smoking at work, it requires employers to have in place policies that manage and reduce the risks to their employees1 health to as low a level as reasonably practicable. Responsibility for deciding what this level should be rests with the employer.

PRIME MINISTER

Crown Jewels

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Prime Minister which of the (a) crowns and (b) tiaras worn by George V and Queen Mary at the Delhi Durbar in 1911 are in public ownership; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The Imperial Crown of India worn by His Majesty King George V at the Delhi Durbar has since that occasion been on permanent public display as part of the Crown Jewels in the Jewel House of the Tower of London.

Festivals

David Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what measures his Office took to celebrate and promote the events of (a) Ramadan, (b) Diwali and (c) Chinese New Year in 2005.

Tony Blair: My Office values and respects the diversity of its employees. Should they wish to do so, staff are supported in their desire to celebrate their traditions, including with colleagues within the Department. I also send out messages of goodwill to various communities on the occasion of their celebrations, copies of which are available on the Number 10 website.

First World War Veteran (State Funeral)

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Prime Minister if he will consider recommending the granting of a state funeral to the last person to die who served in the First World War; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Veterans) (Mr. Touhig), is currently considering an appropriate way to mark the service and sacrifices of those who served in the First World War, and an announcement will be made in due course.

Freedom of Information

Roger Williams: To ask the Prime Minister how many Freedom of Information applications his Office has received; how many have taken more than 20 days to process; and how many of these gave rise to complaints about the time taken.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 28 November 2005, Official Report, columns 5051W by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Jim Murphy).

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Prime Minister when he plans to publish the paper he referred to in evidence to the Liaison Committee on 8 February setting out the way forward for the Iraqiisation of security (HC 318-i); and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: The paper referred to during the evidence session was a United States report, produced by a team led by General Luck, a retired US General. It was an audit of the coalition's campaign plan in Iraq, in particular the training and development of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF). During the evidence session with the Liaison Committee, I said that I hoped the paper would be published, but noted that it was still being considered by the US Government. Following this, the US Government decided not to publish this report. As this was a US report, this was a matter for the US Government to decide.

Labour Party Funds

Michael Penning: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those consultants which have been in receipt of government funds that have donated funds to the Labour Party; and what the sums involved were in each case.

Tony Blair: Information on party political donations is not held by the Government.

Race Equality Impact Assessments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister how many RaceEquality Impact Assessments his Office completed between (a) April 2004 and March 2005 and (b) April 2005 and November 2005; and how many assessments in each period resulted in a change of policy.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr.Murphy) today.

Sick Leave

David Davies: To ask the Prime Minister how many of his Offices' employees who are within one yearof the official retirement age are on extended sick leave.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my Office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Special Advisers

Lynne Jones: To ask the Prime Minister if he will make it Government policy for special advisers to give evidence to parliamentary committees if asked.

Tony Blair: As I made clear in my evidence to the Liaison Committee on 22 November, decisions on officials, including special advisers, giving evidence to Select Committees are taken on a case by case basis in line with the guidance in Departmental Evidence and Response to Select Committees. The guidance makes clear the presumption that Committees requests on attendance of named officials will be agreed to, but that the final decision on who is best able to represent the Minister rests with the Minister concerned. It remains the right of a Minister to suggest an alternative civil servant to that named by the Committee if he or she feels that this person is better placed to represent the Minister.

Terrorism Legislation

Grant Shapps: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2005, Official Report, column 1662W, on terrorism legislation, what font size was assumed in making the calculation.

Tony Blair: As I made clear in my previousanswer, this is a publicly available document (ISBN: 0760064903).

NORTHERN IRELAND

Arson Attacks

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many arson attacks there were on schools in each education board in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The Education and Library Boards have advised that the number of arson attacks on controlled and maintained schools in the last five years are as follows:
	
		Number
		
			  200102 200203 200304 200405 200506(50) 
		
		
			 Belfast 5 7 4 2 2 
			 Western 2 1 1 4 3 
			 North Eastern 2 2 2 1 3 
			 South Eastern (51) 5 8 6 0 
			 Southern 5 5 1 1 3 
			 Totals 14 20 16 14 11 
		
	
	(50)To date.
	(51)Not readily available.
	The Boards do not hold information on arson attacks on voluntary grammar and grant maintained integrated schools.

Carers

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of people in Northern Ireland providing unpaid care to people aged 65 years and over.

Angela Smith: The 2001 census showed that 185,066 people in Northern Ireland (11 per cent. of the population) were providing unpaid care. The census did not collect the age of people for whom the care was being provided.

CFCs

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tonnes of chlorofluorocarbons have been converted into inert substances in Northern Ireland in each year from 2003.

Angela Smith: Until February 2004, individual district councils made their own contractual arrangements to recycle fridges and freezers to ensure that the ozone-depleting substances were recovered. Councils hold their own data for the tonnage of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) recovered until that point.
	Since February 2004, the Department of the Environment has funded the recovery of fridges and freezers through two sequential contracts. Between 1 February 2004 and 31 October 2005, the contractor responsible for processing fridges and freezers on behalf of the Department recycled a total of 113,298 units, with a total approximated processed weight of 4,673.8 tonnes, which equates to a total weight of CFCs recovered of 13.8 tonnes.

Economy

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what he has done to promote the long-term economy of Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: The Government and their social partners have produced an Economic Vision for Northern Ireland. Our clear objective is to make sure that Northern Ireland has the innovation, enterprise, skills and infrastructure to become one of the most competitive and productive UK and international regions. Key to economic success is to develop and grow the private sector to make it more in proportion to a reformed public sector characterised by quality of delivery, efficiency and fitness for purpose.
	The Department of Finance and Personnel is now in the process of developing a Regional Economic Strategy which will set out the policy framework for delivering the Economic Vision.

Fireworks

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were injured by fireworks in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement on the running of a safety advertising campaign for 2005.

Shaun Woodward: Information on the number of patients reporting to A and E departments and minor injuries units with injuries from fireworks, since 2000, over a four to five week period covering the end of October and start of November (Halloween) is detailed as follows.
	
		
			  Total firework injuries 
		
		
			 2000 100 
			 2001 136 
			 2002 38 
			 2003 45 
			 2004 55 
		
	
	The Northern Ireland Office, in partnership with RoSPA, the Northern Ireland Home Accident Council and statutory bodies such as the Fire and Rescue Service, the Ambulance Service and the PSNI, has supported the promotion of firework safety publicity material for a number of years. The safety campaign for 2005 involved less publicity than previously, in particular there was no intensive advertising campaign. This was because there are effective controls on the sale and use of fireworks in NI and the significantly reduced accident statistics of recent years demonstrate that the message has got across to the public. An intensive advertising campaign was therefore not considered necessary.

Freelance Musicians

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the implications for the Ulster Orchestra of the Inland Revenue's policy that freelance musicians and singers engaged since 1998 are liable for Class 1 National Insurance contributions.

David Hanson: The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland are monitoring discussions currently taking place between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Arts Council of England, the Association of British Orchestras and the Musicians Union about the National Insurance liability on musicians' earnings. These discussions are still ongoing.

Human Rights Commission

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what allowance is provided to each member of the Human Rights Commission; and what additional expenses each is eligible for.

David Hanson: The Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission receives an annual salary of 60,000. This is a full-time post. Commissioners are appointed to serve for one day per week for which an allowance is paid of 10,000 per year.
	Commissioners are also eligible for additional travel and subsistence expenses when carrying out Commission business.

Income Support

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) males and (b) females aged (i) 16 to 24, (ii) 25 to 30, (iii) 30 to 39 and (iv) 40 years and over were on income support in each district in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

David Hanson: The information requested is as follows.
	
		Income support breakdown
		
			  Age 
			  1624 2529 3039 40 plus 
			 District council Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female 
		
		
			 Antrim 
			 February 2001 66 236 77 158 216 345 951 1,415 
			 February 2002 66 238 79 157 212 329 1,015 1,461 
			 February 2003 58 197 69 146 230 346 1,044 1,479 
			 February 2004 55 196 68 156 212 353 488 489 
			 February 2005 51 183 67 155 202 311 503 530 
			  
			 Ards 
			 February 2001 92 265 81 207 240 389 1,360 2,309 
			 February 2002 103 234 79 209 245 376 1,447 2,375 
			 February 2003 104 252 70 192 239 387 1,506 2,406 
			 February 2004 86 252 74 158 235 355 662 584 
			 February 2005 72 238 79 174 234 360 634 591 
			  
			 Armagh 
			 February 2001 99 231 98 165 273 373 1,407 2,019 
			 February 2002 114 232 101 175 284 388 1,429 2,063 
			 February 2003 111 228 102 167 276 399 1,491 2,114 
			 February 2004 102 232 110 165 287 409 693 568 
			 February 2005 78 227 97 162 281 392 709 572 
			  
			 Ballymena 
			 February 2001 95 279 95 212 232 449 1,081 1,952 
			 February 2002 113 280 102 179 254 456 1,158 2,012 
			 February 2003 99 277 89 173 271 450 1,223 2,041 
			 February 2004 106 272 92 187 277 431 499 581 
			 February 2005 91 252 72 194 260 432 528 596 
			 Ballymoney 
			 February 2001 53 105 42 76 154 195 732 1,055 
			 February 2002 49 122 39 66 153 205 791 1,091 
			 February 2003 48 116 49 68 169 208 860 1,117 
			 February 2004 51 115 49 70 156 206 365 350 
			 February 2005 54 112 44 71 143 208 373 356 
			  
			 Banbridge 
			 February 2001 66 146 54 86 140 232 846 1,414 
			 February 2002 63 151 50 78 153 228 889 1,464 
			 February 2003 60 152 49 78 171 225 929 1,511 
			 February 2004 48 143 59 82 174 229 422 405 
			 February 2005 62 133 49 90 153 219 407 429 
			  
			 Belfast 
			 February 2001 1,008 2,544 936 2,089 2,800 5,258 10,565 15,819 
			 February 2002 1,098 2,451 949 2,023 2,884 4,990 10,936 16,209 
			 February 2003 1,031 2,425 966 1,855 2,945 4,651 11,424 16,350 
			 February 2004 1,049 2,495 942 1,748 2,868 4,460 6,105 6,484 
			 February 2005 1,085 2,396 958 1,757 2,653 4,214 6,148 6,662 
			  
			 Carrickfergus 
			 February 2001 55 151 49 123 130 261 542 1,036 
			 February 2002 51 141 37 118 134 260 601 1,067 
			 February 2003 47 165 45 117 143 257 656 1,047 
			 February 2004 42 153 42 132 147 249 296 331 
			 February 2005 56 148 45 130 125 262 311 346 
			  
			 Castlereagh 
			 February 2001 59 200 52 166 205 413 920 1,821 
			 February 2002 61 203 61 135 213 428 973 1,863 
			 February 2003 45 184 75 142 245 407 1,049 1,896 
			 February 2004 51 177 67 153 223 363 465 510 
			 February 2005 70 165 59 144 228 356 477 557 
			  
			 Coleraine 
			 February 2001 88 282 73 216 248 480 1,407 2,082 
			 February 2002 100 265 74 212 274 468 1,484 2,160 
			 February 2003 86 262 78 178 266 479 1,536 2,181 
			 February 2004 87 277 81 189 258 457 674 666 
			 February 2005 87 281 66 176 251 417 661 673 
			  
			 Cookstown 
			 February 2001 98 187 103 125 272 299 1,296 1,437 
			 February 2002 98 200 96 115 261 284 1,322 1,479 
			 February 2003 88 168 82 123 269 277 1,360 1,500 
			 February 2004 94 161 74 120 239 294 630 495 
			 February 2005 85 162 69 114 244 273 607 505 
			  
			 Craigavon 
			 February 2001 137 421 151 314 498 707 2,350 3,250 
			 February 2002 130 427 142 292 519 720 2,430 3,318 
			 February2003 122 429 135 295 540 718 2,559 3,388 
			 February 2004 140 430 127 284 517 687 1,195 1,143 
			 February 2005 163 440 128 286 494 684 1,250 1,164 
			  
			 Derry 
			 February 2001 430 1,080 405 905 1,162 1,953 4,115 4,966 
			 February 2002 433 1,074 392 900 1,207 1,973 4,370 5,201 
			 February 2003 452 1,088 413 888 1,246 2,015 4,630 5,382 
			 February 2004 425 1,074 402 836 1,228 1,987 2,608 2,649 
			 February 2005 413 1,034 425 849 1,172 1,909 2,681 2,737 
			  
			 Down 
			 February 2001 146 328 108 249 341 494 1,451 2,122 
			 February 2002 154 348 109 231 347 505 1,562 2,169 
			 February 2003 121 329 119 204 351 506 1,642 2,230 
			 February 2004 128 295 113 220 346 468 783 679 
			 February 2005 119 293 120 223 330 457 797 676 
			 Dungannon 
			 February 2001 112 295 124 218 387 427 2,014 2,256 
			 February 2002 101 269 126 240 402 470 2,102 2,302 
			 February 2003 106 261 110 224 381 474 2,145 2,303 
			 February 2004 111 246 104 210 358 476 964 718 
			 February 2005 135 225 100 195 330 476 968 731 
			  
			 Fermanagh 
			 February 2001 112 262 106 190 304 388 2,060 2,590 
			 February 2002 128 249 102 190 318 419 2,127 2,641 
			 February 2003 125 239 99 177 322 421 2,183 2,704 
			 February 2004 115 248 111 179 307 412 766 722 
			 February 2005 106 222 116 173 298 436 793 733 
			  
			 Larne 
			 February 2001 65 120 42 120 130 206 661 957 
			 February 2002 46 130 47 97 138 227 708 1,010 
			 February 2003 50 116 36 81 137 229 728 1,019 
			 February 2004 52 126 41 109 137 217 320 299 
			 February 2005 50 114 37 107 149 216 351 312 
			  
			 Limavady 
			 February 2001 85 202 73 151 215 250 1,008 1,138 
			 February 2002 79 201 68 176 244 281 1,045 1,161 
			 February 2003 79 190 83 150 242 276 1,085 1,181 
			 February 2004 62 198 77 158 248 279 571 379 
			 February 2005 59 180 67 140 242 300 551 385 
			  
			 Lisburn 
			 February 2001 209 667 185 527 535 1,222 2,122 3,515 
			 February 2002 217 652 180 531 558 1,194 2,226 3,601 
			 February 2003 187 623 176 495 541 1,147 2,336 3,638 
			 February 2004 209 573 164 481 550 1,105 1,225 1,458 
			 February 2005 190 546 173 471 520 1,030 1,218 1,479 
			  
			 Magherafelt 
			 February 2001 50 141 50 113 194 281 1,315 1,507 
			 February 2002 64 145 49 111 188 275 1,345 1,543 
			 February 2003 46 134 54 108 188 273 1,354 1,589 
			 February 2004 50 143 57 95 169 288 509 422 
			 February 2005 49 128 46 95 167 286 496 439 
			  
			 Moyle 
			 February 2001 31 101 30 73 90 165 513 719 
			 February 2002 32 104 34 70 89 163 554 737 
			 February 2003 29 108 25 53 90 183 585 731 
			 February 2004 30 103 27 47 105 168 244 227 
			 February 2005 23 99 28 50 104 158 251 234 
			  
			 Newry and Mourne 
			 February 2001 225 537 269 444 690 938 3,528 3,915 
			 February 2002 245 529 225 426 748 999 3,672 4,007 
			 February 2003 234 508 232 452 780 997 3,839 4,116 
			 February 2004 240 519 221 433 746 990 1,779 1,454 
			 February 2005 218 469 232 446 701 970 1,768 1,493 
			  
			 Newtownabbey 
			 February 2001 98 385 85 290 296 635 1,519 2,566 
			 February 2002 120 363 88 297 314 616 1,558 2,649 
			 February 2003 97 358 102 269 299 609 1,627 2,695 
			 February 2004 107 344 101 256 285 592 785 841 
			 February 2005 124 319 84 258 290 589 773 857 
			  
			 North Down 
			 February 2001 82 237 72 175 195 381 1,046 2,170 
			 February 2002 84 232 74 175 188 374 1,048 2,175 
			 February 2003 72 201 67 162 198 370 1,131 2,204 
			 February 2004 68 211 75 152 216 365 473 565 
			 February 2005 60 197 57 160 214 357 479 577 
			 Omagh 
			 February 2001 148 271 111 202 354 394 1,642 1,991 
			 February 2002 138 279 106 201 360 417 1,729 2,026 
			 February 2003 107 249 110 194 339 417 1,826 2,069 
			 February 2004 141 252 114 186 312 448 881 684 
			 February 2005 125 252 108 198 326 425 920 703 
			  
			 Strabane 
			 February 2001 129 319 145 219 318 501 1,807 1,911 
			 February 2002 129 310 139 238 331 514 1,843 1,954 
			 February 2003 118 271 133 247 366 501 1,891 2,027 
			 February 2004 110 259 130 259 355 492 852 720 
			 February 2005 102 259 129 249 350 530 853 738 
		
	
	In October 2003 pension credit replaced the minimumincome guarantee element of income support. Claimants aged 60 and over transferred to pension credit. The figures from February 2004 show a reduction in the 40 plus age group.

Invest Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the change has been in (a) salary, (b) expenses and (c) pension contributions of the top five earning employees of Invest Northern Ireland in the past three years.

David Hanson: The top earning five employees in Invest Northern Ireland are the chief executive and the four managing directors. The changes in their salaries, pension contributions and expenses over the last three years are set out as follows.
	Salary increases and bonus payments reflect the 2003 and 2004 pay settlements. Figures quoted are for the last three complete financial years, viz. 200203, 200304 and 200405
	Managing directors (MD's) are paid on the NICS Grade 3 (Deputy Secretary) Scale. MD's are appointed on the minimum of the salary scale and annual increases and bonus payments mirror exactly the settlement for the NI Senior Civil Service. They are members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (NI) and employer's percentage contributions are fixed by the Department of Finance and Personnel.
	All expenses in Invest NI are paid at the rates applicable in the NICS.
	
		Chief executive
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Percentage change  2.25 2.00 
			 Bonus ()  11,700 11,963 
			 Pension (Percentage) 19.5 19.5 19.5 
			 Expenses () 3,876.29 4,922.32 6,410.99 
		
	
	
		Managing directors
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Percentage change  5.00 3.25 
			 Bonus ()  3,000 4,500 
			 Pension (Percentage) 19.5 19.5 16.0 
			 Expenses () 3,275.04 6,171.98 3,291.97 
		
	
	
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Percentage change  5.00 3.25 
			 Bonus ()  3,000 4,500 
			 Pension (Percentage) 19.5 19.5 16.0 
			 Expenses () 1,697.5 2,413.22 1,758.87 
		
	
	
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Percentage change  9.00 4.75 
			 Bonus () 3,000 6,000 4,500 
			 Pension (Percentage) 19.5 19.5 18.0 
			 Expenses () 4,211.73 2,380.39 5,378.85 
		
	
	
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Percentage change  2.50 3.25 
			 Bonus () 0 0 0 
			 Pension (Percentage) 19.5 19.5 18.0 
			 Expenses () 115 Nil  
		
	
	Note:
	Left 31 October 2004.
	
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Percentage change
			 Bonus ()   2,500 
			 Pension (Percentage)   16 
			 Expenses ()   Nil 
		
	
	Note:
	Appointed 1 April 2004.

Inward Investment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of what steps should be taken to attract foreign direct investment to Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: Invest NI's marketing and sales resources are focused on those sectors and geographical markets most likely to generate projects to match the Northern Ireland business proposition and contribute to the development of an innovation-based economy.
	The assessment that I have made of these steps is actual performance against agreed targets. To date Invest Northern Ireland has met all these targets. In fact, last year was Invest NI's most successful year for securing new Foreign Direct Investment.

Parking Charges

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many vehicles in pay and display car parks under the control of the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland an additional charge was made as a result of (a) non-payment and (b) under-payment of the appropriate parking charge in 2004.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Road Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Gregory Campbell, dated 30 November 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how many vehicles in pay and display car parks under the control of the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland an additional charge was made as a result of either (a) non-payment and (b) under-payment of the appropriate parking charge in 2004.
	I have been asked to reply as these issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	I should explain that in Roads Service's pay and display car parks, a fee is levied based on the length of time that the driver intends to park. If a vehicle fails to display evidence that a fee has been paid, an imposed Alternative Charge (25) ticket is issued. However, if a fee has been paid, but is insufficient for the length of stay, an imposed Excess Charge (20) ticket is issued.
	I can advise that during 2004, Roads service issued 15,661 Alternative Charge tickets, and 5,470 Excess Charge tickets.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Police

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police recruits in Northern Ireland have dropped out of training in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised that the number of police recruits that have dropped out of training in the last 10 years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1995 2 
			 1996 1 
			 1997 2 
			 1998 0 
			 1999 1 
			 2000 0 
			 2001 1 
			 2002 8 
			 2003 14 
			 2004 17 
			 2005 (as at 25 July 2005) 10 
			 Total 56 
		
	
	I am also advised that the numbers undergoing training has expanded considerably under the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and that these statistics must be seen in that context.

Primary Schools

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) controlled and (b) maintained primary schools in Northern Ireland have closed in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: There have been 12 controlled primary school closures and five maintained primary school closures in the past five years:
	
		
			  Controlled primary schools Maintained primary schools 
		
		
			 200001 3 1 
			 200102 2  
			 200203 2 2 
			 200304 2 1 
			 200405 2 1 
		
	
	In addition, 20 controlled primary schools have been amalgamated into nine new schools and 12 maintained primary schools have amalgamated into five new schools.

Primary Schools

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) controlled and (b) maintained primary schools in Northern Ireland are scheduled to close in each of the next three years.

Angela Smith: Approval has been given for three controlled primary school closures:
	2005062 schools
	2006071 school.
	The Department has also approved the following amalgamations:
	2007086 maintained primary schools into 2 new schools
	2008094 maintained primary schools into 2 new schools and 11 controlled primary schools into 4 new schools.

Pupil Expulsions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on what criteria decisions are taken to (a) suspend and (b) expel a pupil in a (i) controlled and (ii) maintained school in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education has not issued criteria to be used in the decision to suspend or expel a pupil from any school in Northern Ireland.
	All schools are required by law to have a discipline policy, which sets out sanctions, including suspension or expulsion, which the school will impose for breaches of school discipline. It is for individual schools to draw up their own discipline policy, including the criteria they will use in decisions to suspend or expel a pupil from school.

Recycling

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many recycling points there are in each local authority in Northern Ireland; and how many there were in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: EHS is not in a position to provide these details prior to 2005. Currently however there are 87 recycling points in Northern Ireland and the details for each district council area are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 District council Number of CA sites 
		
		
			 South Western Management Partnership (SWAMP) 
			 Armagh City and District Council 4 
			 Banbridge Borough Council 3 
			 Cookstown District Council 2 
			 Craigavon Borough Council 2 
			 Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council 6 
			 Fermanagh District Council 4 
			 Newry and Mourne District Council 7 
			 Omagh District Council 4 
			 Total SWAMP 32 
			   
			 Eastern Waste Management Group (arc21)  
			 Antrim 3 
			 Ards 7 
			 Ballymena 1 
			 Belfast 9 
			 Carrickfergus 1 
			 Down 2 
			 Larne 1 
			 Lisburn 2 
			 Newtownabbey 1 
			 North Down 2 
			 Total arc21 29 
			   
			 North West Region Waste Management Group (NWRWMG) 
			 Ballymoney Borough Council 2 
			 Coleraine Borough Council 6 
			 Deny City Council 5 
			 Limavady Borough Council 3 
			 Magherafelt District Council 4 
			 Moyle District Council 1 
			 Strabane District Council 5 
			 Total NWRWMG 26

School Crossing Patrols

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the schools in Northern Ireland that have school crossing patrols; and how many school crossing patrol staff each has.

Angela Smith: The number of school crossing patrols at individual schools in Northern Ireland is linked to safety considerations associated with road layout and the volume of traffic. Details have been placed in the Library.

Secondary Schools

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) controlled and (b) maintained secondary schools in Northern Ireland have closed in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: There has been one controlled post-primary school closure (in 200203) and no maintained post-primary school closures in the past five years.
	In addition, eight controlled post-primary schools have amalgamated into four schools and five maintained post-primary schools have amalgamated into two schools.

Secondary Schools

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) controlled and (b) maintained secondary schools in Northern Ireland are scheduled to close in each of the next three years.

Angela Smith: One controlled post-primary school is scheduled to close with effect from 31 August 2006.
	The Department has also received a development proposal for the amalgamation of two maintained schools, St. Malachy's High School, Antrim and St.Olcan's High School, Randalstown.

Speed Limits

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce 20 miles per hour speed limits near schools in the Province; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Lady in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mrs. Iris Robinson, dated 30 November 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what plans he has to introduce automatic 20 miles per hour speed limits at all schools in the Province.
	I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	I can confirm that we have no current plans to introduce mandatory 20mph speed limits outside all schools in Northern Ireland.
	Local speed limits are not considered effective when they are applied to meet conditions arising only for short periods of the day, since the restriction will be unnecessary for most of the time and may consequently not be respected when it is needed. In such circumstances specific signing and engineering measures are likely to be more effective. This is the case at schools. It is for this reason that Roads Service considers that the universal application of mandatory 20mph speed limits at all schools would not be appropriate.
	We do, however, take safety at schools very seriously. RoadsService is currently rolling out a programme of safety enhancements to control driver behaviour and to manage traffic speed in the vicinity of schools, through the installation of signs, road markings and physical engineering features as part of the Department's Safer Routes to Schools Initiative (SRS).
	This initiative aims to encourage parents, children and teachers to use sustainable methods of transport for their journey to and from school. The SRS programme also aims to improve the safety and health of pupils by reducing the impact of traffic around school facilities and encouraging greater physical activity among students.
	This financial year there are currently 46 schools across Northern Ireland receiving SRS safety measures. It is Roads Service's objective to assist a minimum of 40 schools annually thereafter, subject to the availability of resources.
	The former Minister for Regional Development, John Spellar MP, agreed in November 2004, that Roads Service should lead a review of speed management policy within Northern Ireland. This is being undertaken in co-operation with our partners in PSNI and DOE Road Safety Branch, and is mirroring a similar review being undertaken by the Department for Transport in Great Britain. Although this is very much work in progress, further speed management issues around schools are being actively considered and I would be happy to update you when this work concludes.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Teachers

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school teachers in Northern Ireland have taken early retirement in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The number of teachers in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools who have taken early retirement in each of the last five years is listed in the following table.
	
		Number
		
			  Primary schools Secondary schools 
		
		
			 200102 224 265 
			 200203 236 297 
			 200304 217 275 
			 200405 207 271 
			 200506 340 319 
			 Total 1224 1427

Terrorist Victims

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been made available since 2002 to support victims of terrorist violence in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on his plans for such funding.

Angela Smith: Funding to support the victims of violence arising from the Troubles comes from a very wide variety of sources and the information requested by the hon. Gentleman is not readily available. However, from April 1998 to 31 March 2005 some 31 million was made available to groups and organisations whose work benefits victims. In addition my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, recently announced extra Government funding of up to 1.5 million for the Northern Ireland Memorial Fund.
	With regard to the future the Interim Victims Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Mrs. Bertha McDougall, will be looking at how well the current funding arrangements in relation to services and grants paid to victims and survivors groups and individual victims and survivors are addressing need. We will consider the way ahead on these funding issues following Mrs. McDougall's report which we expect to be completed by the end of 2006.

Truancy

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the truancy levels were for each education and library board in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education does not collect the requested information. However, information on referrals of pupils to the Education Welfare Service is collected from each of the Education and Library Boards on an annual basis. Referrals can be for a variety of reasons, including truancy.
	The following table shows the percentage of pupils referred to the Education Welfare Service in each Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland in 200304.
	
		200304
		
			 Board Area Percentage of pupils referred 
		
		
			 Belfast 3.97 
			 Western 2.42 
			 North Eastern 2.34 
			 South Eastern 2.68 
			 Southern 2.37

Video Conferencing Units

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many video conferencing units are installed in (a) the Department and (b) each agency of the Department; what percentage of offices have these facilities in each case; and what plans there are to increase the number of such facilities.

Shaun Woodward: The following information refers to the Northern Ireland Office. It does not include figures for the 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration.
	Northern Ireland Office core
	Three video conferencing units in Belfast (shared facilities available for use by all offices).
	Two video conferencing units in London (shared facilities available for use by all offices).
	One video conferencing unit in British Embassy, Dublin
	Agencies
	35 video conferencing units in NIPS (all offices have access to facilities)
	There are plans to add facilities for the Youth Justice Agency and Forensic Science.

Warm Homes Scheme

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the average cost was of insulation measures fitted to date in each parliamentary constituency as part of the Warm Homes Scheme in Northern Ireland;
	(2)  what the average cost per heating system fitted to date has been in each parliamentary constituency as part of the Warm Homes Scheme in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: The information requested is not readily available on a parliamentary constituency basis and could be provided only at disproportionate costs. The overall average figures for Northern Ireland are as follows:
	
		
		
			  Average cost 
			 Financial year Per heating system Per insulation 
		
		
			 200102(52) 2,628.48 349.92 
			 200203 2,826.06 347.31 
			 200304 2,991.95 377.33 
			 200405 3,385.05 458.59 
			 200506(53) 3,675.85 483.67 
		
	
	(52)July to 31 March.
	(53)To date.

Warm Homes Scheme

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many homes had heating systems fitted as part of the Warm Homes Scheme in each year since 2001 in Northern Ireland, broken down by Parliamentary constituency.

David Hanson: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Number of households in receipt of heating systems(54)
		
			  Financial year 
			 Constituency 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Belfast East 42 91 92 138 76 
			 Belfast North 85 132 150 172 117 
			 Belfast South 12 58 79 89 45 
			 Belfast West 92 121 126 195 128 
			 East Antrim 18 96 88 98 88 
			 East Londonderry 14 124 55 129 98 
			 Fermanagh/South Tyrone 81 188 137 186 219 
			 Foyle 24 121 69 178 103 
			 Lagan Valley 22 79 110 79 87 
			 Mid-Ulster 69 125 93 196 180 
			 Newry and Armagh 29 121 146 351 195 
			 North Antrim 38 98 64 101 119 
			 North Down 27 77 76 78 96 
			 South Antrim 17 47 71 123 124 
			 South Down 66 161 179 204 154 
			 Strangford 21 59 110 82 65 
			 Upper Bann 105 92 112 226 144 
			 West Tyrone 49 132 122 153 128 
		
	
	(54)This includes those households which received both heating and insulation measures.

Warm Homes Scheme

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many homes are waiting for (a) a heating system and (b) insulation measures to be fitted in each parliamentary constituency in Northern Ireland as part of the Warm Homes Scheme.

David Hanson: The information requested is not readily available on a parliamentary constituency basis and could only be provided at disproportionate costs. The total waiting list for Northern Ireland is as follows:
	
		
			  Numbers awaiting heating measures 
			 Number awaiting insulation measures  New systems  Repairs/upgrades 
		
		
			 1,608 93 1,340

Warm Homes Scheme

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many homes in Northern Ireland had insulation measures fitted as part of the Warm Homes Scheme in each year since 2001, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

David Hanson: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Number of households in receipt of insulation measures(55)
		
			  Financial year 
			 Constituency 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Belfast East 235 260 198 326 218 
			 Belfast North 256 418 352 465 265 
			 Belfast South 103 189 174 200 198 
			 Belfast West 436 538 353 360 367 
			 East Antrim 182 258 211 256 168 
			 East Londonderry 144 299 224 280 237 
			 Fermanagh/South Tyrone 214 419 306 305 344 
			 Foyle 207 332 302 461 478 
			 Lagan Valley 92 286 232 226 259 
			 Mid-Ulster 219 441 321 461 396 
			 Newry and Armagh 157 476 428 623 483 
			 North Antrim 179 274 284 335 219 
			 North Down 141 252 144 286 294 
			 South Antrim 203 245 207 332 225 
			 South Down 145 656 573 428 382 
			 Strangford 131 268 204 315 184 
			 Upper Bann 324 479 475 520 319 
			 West Tyrone 161 328 332 451 289 
		
	
	(55)These columns include those households which received both heating and insulation measures.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Data Protection

John Hemming: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance she has given the courts on the size of awards for compensation for breaches of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Harriet Harman: The size of any award for compensation payable for damage arising from any failure to comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 is a matter for assessment by the courts, taking into account all the relevant circumstances in individual cases.

Departmental Websites

Charles Hendry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will take steps to ensure the Department's websites attain the W3C AAA standard of accessibility for people with visual and other disabilities; and if she will set a target date for this standard to be achieved by.

Harriet Harman: My Department follows Government guidelines for UK Government websites. The guidelines currently require websites to meet Level A of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. They also identify a significant number of the Priority Two (AA) and Priority Three (AAA) checkpoints as best practice which Departments should aim to follow. Of the Priority Three checkpoints my Department is working to ensure that the following checkpoints in particular are adhered to by all DCA websites:
	ensuring that there is sufficient contrast between foreground and background colours (P3 Checkpoint 2.2);
	use of access-keys (P3 Checkpoint 9.5); the provision of a site map (P3 Checkpoint 13.3);
	the provision of skip navigation (P3 Checkpoint 13.6); the provision of search facilities (P3 Checkpoint 13.7);
	the speech-enablement of your website (P3 Checkpoint 14.2);
	use of consistent presentation across all pages (P3 Checkpoint 14.3).

Human Rights Act

Paul Burstow: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance she has issued on whether privately-run (a) healthcare facilities, (b) prisons, (c) care homes and (d) schools are covered by section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Harriet Harman: Following the recommendation of the Joint Committee on Human Rights in its Seventh Report of Session 200304, the Government issued guidance to local authorities on the use of contractual conditions to ensure that services delivered on behalf of the local authority are provided in a way that takes account of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Legal Aid

Andrew Turner: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) women and (b) men received legal aid in respect of care and custody proceedings in each of the last three years for which information is available.

Bridget Prentice: I will reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
	Substantive answer from Bridget Prentice to Andrew Turner:
	The total number of certificates issued in care and custody proceedings, broken by down by gender in 200203, 200304 and 200405 is given as follows.
	
		
			  Female Male Not recorded 
		
		
			 200203 45,050 36,427 2,120 
			 200304 44,335 35,399 2,159 
			 200405 43,413 34,580 2,510 
		
	
	These figures are inclusive certificates granted to both children and adults.

Life Sentences

Iain Wright: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people who pleaded guilty to murder and received life sentences are appealing against the sentence.

Harriet Harman: Information on people who pleaded guilty to murder and received life sentences now appealing against the sentence is not held centrally and could be produced only at disproportion cost.

Marked Registers

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will list the constituencies which have (a) all and (b) part of their marked registers from the 2005 general election missing; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: The information is as follows:
	(a) The only constituency in England and Wales where all of the marked register for the May 2005 general election appear to be missing is Woking.
	(b) The Government are aware that reports have been made about missing pages from the marked registers of the following May 2005 general election constituencies:

National Security Appeals Panel

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many public hearings the National Security Appeals Panel has held since inception.

Harriet Harman: The National Security Appeals Panel has heard three cases in public since its inception. A fourth case was heard in private but was retrospectively made public at the hearing stage.

National Security Appeals Panel

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what steps the National Security Appeals Panel has taken to publicise its functions.

Harriet Harman: Since April 2005 the Information Tribunal website has included a section for the National Security Appeals Panel which includes copies of previous judgments, regulations and legislation.

National Security Appeals Panel

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the (a) staffing level and (b) cost of the National Security Appeals Panel has been in each calendar year since inception.

Harriet Harman: The National Security Appeals Panel is included in the budget for the information tribunal and is not separately identified. Between inception and 2004 secretariat functions to the information tribunal were provided as part of the responsibilities of one member of staff in the information rights division. Staffing levels were increased in preparation for the coming into forceof the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The information tribunal currently has three full time members of staff who are all based in Leicester.
	The costs incurred by sittings of the National Security Appeals Panel can be broken down for each year as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200001 0 
			 200102 2411.87 
			 200203 3617.77 
			 200304 3074.48 
			 200405 4094.69 
			 200506 9807.17

National Security Appeals Panel

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many cases have been decided by the National Security Appeals Panel in each calendar year since its inception under (a) section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998 and (b) section 60 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and if she will list the parties to each case in which all proceedings are complete.

Harriet Harman: Under section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998 there have been five cases in which all proceedings are complete. For each year the number of decisions and the parties in the cases are as follows:
	2001One case:
	Norman Baker v. Secretary of State for the Home Department
	2002One case:
	Mohammed El Fayed v. Secretary of State for the Home Department and Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
	2003Three cases:
	Phillip Hilton v. Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
	Tony Gosling v. Secretary Of State for the Home Department
	Peter Hitchens v. Secretary Of State for the Home Department
	No decisions have yet been made by the panel under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

National Security Appeals Panel

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the judgements have been published in each case decided by the National Security Appeals Panel in each calendar year since its inception under (a) section 28 of the Data Protection Act 1998 and (b) section 60 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Harriet Harman: The five cases decided by the panel under the Data Protection Act 1998 where all proceedings are complete are published on the National Security Appeals Panel section of the information tribunal website.
	There have been no decisions under section 60 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Ethiopia

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Ethiopia.

Ian Pearson: We remain concerned about the internal situation in Ethiopia. The tragic events in Addis Ababa and other towns at the beginning of November, which resulted in deaths and injuries, have further deepened the political and social divisions in the community, as well as damaging Ethiopia's international reputation. The people of Ethiopia need reassurance of a peaceful, just and democratic future. To this end, in our capacity as presidency of the EU, we have called on the Ethiopian Government and opposition parties to undertake a series of measures aimed at ensuring a return to peaceful dialogue, and restoring confidence in the democracy building process.

Ethiopia

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Ethiopian Government on the imprisonment of opposition politicians.

Ian Pearson: My noble Friend, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister for Africa (Lord Triesman of Tottenham) summoned the Ethiopian Charge d'Affaires on 1 November to register our concerns about the situation in Ethiopia, including the issue of detainees. On 6 November, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development also raised the issue when he spoke to Prime Minister Meles. Also on 6 November, in our capacity as EU presidency, we issued a statement on the situation in Ethiopia, which included reference to our concerns regarding detainees. Our ambassador in Ethiopia has also raised our concerns with Prime Minister Meles, the Ethiopian Foreign Minister and other Government Ministers.
	We continue to call for the immediate release of all political detainees, for those individuals not charged under due process to be released immediately, and for access to those detained for their families, legal counsel and representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross or other appropriate representatives of the international community.

Gaza-Egyptian Border

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of progress in opening the Gaza-Egyptian border following disengagement.

Kim Howells: The Gaza-Egypt border opened on 25 November. This is a significant step forward for the Palestinians. My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary, made a statement on the day of the opening:
	Today is a day of great significance in the long search for peace in the Middle East. The deployment of General Pietro Pistolese and his team at Rafah will allow the border between Gaza and Egypt to be re-opened following Israel's withdrawal. This is the first time that the Palestinians have had control over one of their own borders. The re-opening of this border will have a real impact on the lives of Gazans: it will improve the economic prospects of the Palestinian people and allow them greater freedom of movement.
	This EU mission demonstrates the importance the international community places on securing peace in the Middle East. I pay tribute to Jim Wolfensohn's remarkable work in helping the parties build on Israel's courageous disengagement. The efforts of Condoleezza Rice and Javier Solana in securing the deal have also been invaluable. EU Member States and the European Commission have worked rapidly to set up the mission. Egypt has offered vital support. I want to assure General Pistolese and his team of our continued support as they undertake this important EU contribution to a sustainable peace. The EU will continue to work in support of the other aspects of the agreement on movement and access and of Jim Wolfensohn's efforts.

Iran

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Iran following its threat not to continue with the construction of the Iran to India gas pipeline as a result of India's recent vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Kim Howells: According to media reports, both Indian and Iranian officials have reiterated their commitment to existing agreements on this pipeline, and a routine meeting of the India/Iran working group on the project was held in late October. We have not made representations to the Iranian Government.

Iraq

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of the detainees held by multinational forces in Iraq are women; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: There are no women currently in Britishmilitary detention in Iraq. The United States Government have told us that they currently have approximately 11 females in detention in Iraq. The number varies with new detentions and the continuous process of review and release.

Middle East

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the role of economic initiatives in aiding the development of the roadmap for peace in the Middle East.

Kim Howells: The UK fully supports the efforts of Quartet Special Envoy James Wolfensohn to ensure that maximum benefit is derived from Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and part of the West Bank. This should promote growing confidence and trust between the parties and should pave the way for renewed implementation of the Roadmap.
	A series of UK-led events will take place in December. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Gordon Brown), will host G7 Finance Ministers and European Finance Ministers meetings to discuss how donors can best support the work of James Wolfensohn. The UK will also host an investors' conference to discuss the role the private sector can play in reviving the Palestinian economy. In a separate event, key donors to the Palestinians will meet on 13 and 14 December to give their input to the Palestinian Three-Year Development Plan, to put the Palestinian economy on a sound footing and to pave the way for a Pledging Conference in the spring.

Nuclear Proliferation

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what research he has commissioned on the effect of the UK's nuclear weapons status on nuclear proliferation.

Kim Howells: The UK Government have not commissioned research into this specific area.

Nuclear Proliferation

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking (a) bilaterally and (b) multilaterally to ensure that progress is made on international agreement on non-proliferation.

Kim Howells: We are disappointed that, it was not possible this year to reach a substantive outcome at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference or to include non-proliferation language at the UN World Summit. We remain committed to achieving progress and to revitalising the global disarmament and non-proliferation machinery. Multilaterally, we continue to take an active role in the Conference on Disarmament, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation and the Nuclear Suppliers' Group, as well as participating in the Proliferation Security Initiative. We were co-sponsors of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 and continue to further the aims of that resolution. During our presidency of the EU we have worked to implement the EU's Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Strategy.
	The UK has been working in smaller groups, for example as one of the EU3 in negotiations aimed at persuading Iran to forgo certain nuclear activities in light of its non-compliance with international obligations. We are closely involved with the US in closing down the AQ Khan network and continue to support Libya's dismantlement of its WMD programme. As a member of the G8 we have committed $750 million over a period of 10 years to the Global Partnership which seeks to address the threat posed by the Cold War legacy of WMD related materials. Counter-proliferation is on the agenda of numerous bilateral exchanges with a wide range of countries.

Shared Representation

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which countries the UK has shared representation; and what assessment he has made of the further potential for sharing representation.

Douglas Alexander: Wherever appropriate, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office shares office premises overseas with EU partners and, occasionally, with others. We are alert to opportunities to do so. We are already co-located with the following partners:
	GermanyAlmaty, Ashgabat, Dar es Salaam, Pyongyang, Quito, Reykjavik
	FranceAlmaty, Ashgabat
	ItalyMinsk
	The NetherlandsDar es Salaam, Chisinau
	European CommissionDar es Salaam.

Syria

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of compliance by Syria with United Nations Security Council Resolutions (a) 1559 and (b) 1595.

Kim Howells: Syria completed the withdrawal of its troops from Lebanon on 26 April 2005, in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1559. A United Nations (UN) verification team concluded that there are no Syrian military forces and is no visible or significant Syrian intelligence presence or activity in Lebanon, although the possibility remains of an ongoing influence of Syrian intelligence in Lebanon.
	We are concerned by the reference in Special Envoy Larsen's report on 25 October 2005 of the illegal transfer of arms and people across the Syrian-Lebanese border. We urge Syria to refrain from interfering in Lebanese affairs and to work with Lebanon to ensure the full implementation of UNSCR 1559.
	Syria's lack of substantive co-operation has hindered the UN International Independent Investigation Commission mandated by UNSCR 1595. As a result, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted UNSCR 1636, which requires Syria to improve its co-operation and allows for sanctions against those individuals accused by the ongoing investigation. We note the UN announcement on 25 November that agreement has been reached between Mr. Mehlis and the Syrian Government over the venue for the questioning of five Syrian interviewees. UNSCR 1636 requests Mr. Mehlis to report on progress to the UN Security Council by 15 December 2005.

Torture

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the use in England and Wales of intelligence obtained by torture upon (a) the United Kingdom's international standing and reputation and (b) the effectiveness of British foreign policy.

Jack Straw: The Government, including the intelligence and security agencies, never uses torture for any purposes, including to obtain information. Nor would we instigate others to do so. Where we are helping other countries to develop their own counter-terrorism capability, we ensure that our training or other assistance promotes human rights compliance. Our rejection of the use of torture is well known by our liaison partners.
	I am unaware of any adverse impact on the UK's international standing and reputation and the success of British foreign policy from this approach.

Uganda

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the international community regarding the implications of the issuing of warrants by the International Criminal Court for the arrest of the leaders of the Lords Resistance Army of Uganda.

Ian Pearson: We work closely with other members of the international community regarding the long-running conflict on Northern Uganda. Our dialogue includes discussion of the recent historic step by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue its first arrest warrants for five Lord's Resistance Army commanders. The UK is a strong supporter of the work of the ICC and together with our EU partners, we have called on all those involved to work to facilitate the arrest of the individuals subject to the warrants.

Uganda

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the issuing of warrants against leaders of the Lord's Resistance Army by the International Criminal Court on the policy of amnesty previously advanced by the Ugandan authorities.

Ian Pearson: The recent historic decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue its first arrest warrants for five Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) commanders is an important step towards ending impunity for the most horrific crimes committed in this brutal conflict. We are pressing governments in the region to take action against those subject to arrest warrants.
	The Government of Uganda has assured us that their amnesty policy remains in place for all those LRA members not subject to ICC arrest warrants. There are various programmes in northern Uganda actively encouraging these LRA members to take advantage of the amnesty and rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.

United States (Prince of Wales's Visit)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  if he will place in the Library the guest list for the cocktail party held as part of the official visit of HRH the Prince of Wales at the New York museum of Modern Art;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library the guest list for the party hosted by the British ambassador at his residence in Washington DC, held as part of the official visit ofHRH the Prince of Wales to the United States of America.

Douglas Alexander: holding answers 28 November 2005
	A copy of the guest lists will be placed in the Library of the House.